The ability to manipulate light influences the relationship between an organism and its environment in multiple ways. Manipulation of visible wavelengths has generally been associated with signaling and camouflage, while near-infrared (NIR) light manipulation primarily influences thermoregulation because these wavelengths cannot be seen by animals. The association between reflectance in these different wavebands and environmental variables can therefore reveal the relative importance of different selective pressures; yet the NIR is seldom measured or considered. We examined the association between reflectivity in visible (400 – 700 nm) and NIR (700 – 2000 nm) wavelengths and environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, radiation and vegetation cover for 219 individuals from 59 species of Christmas beetles (Scarabeidae: Rutelinae) distributed across Australia. We found that visible reflectivity was higher in environments with hotter summer temperatures but there was no relationship between climate and NIR reflectivity, once we had accounted for variation in visible reflectivity. These results suggest that selection for thermal benefits is not the primary driver of reflectance properties in Christmas beetles. Instead, the remarkable diversity of light manipulation in both NIR and VIS light in this group may be driven by selection for other functions. Our study highlights the utility of comparing visible and invisible NIR wavelengths to understand ecological factors shaping the extraordinary diversity of animal coloration.