Insects and Spiders - native

Insect or Spider (unknown species) (various) on Aug 3, 2019

Originally reported as A metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens)

Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Ongoing monitoring

Description of specimen

I’ve only seen one beetle so far. It was unusual, iridescent blue, elongated and I’ve never seen it before, so I was concerned. Unfortunately I didn’t collect it or take a photo before it disappeared, but I’m certain it was the Agrilus cyanescens after looking at photos from a link sent to me by the Backyard Habitat.

Commentary

Hi Tahn, As I mentioned to you in an email, you very well could have seen a beetle belonging to the Agrilus genus (the most diverse insect genus on the planet). Without a specimen, it is impossible to say what species. It could have also been another species in the same family, Buprestidae, or a completely different insect.

For those interested, please take a picture or collect a specimen of the insect in question, or take a sample of an injured plant part for proper identification.

To answer your question about the host range of Agrilus cyanescens, in the published literature, the host range of this insect is primarily Lonicera sp, which includes honeysuckle and twinberry. It has also been noted developing in Symphoricarpos and Rhamnus.

Cheers,
Wyatt

Wyatt Williams
Aug. 8, 2019, 3:17 a.m.

Resources

Not enough information provided to make an identification.

Location

I saw the Lonicera Flathead Borer/Agrilus cyanescens on my back porch. I live on NW 53rd Dr, just a 1/2 mile from Portland Audubon and in Forest Park.

Expert Reviewer

Wyatt Williams, Ph.D.
Wyatt Williams, Ph.D.

Invasive Species Specialist

Oregon Department of Forestry

Private Forests Division

2600 State St. Bldg. D

Salem, OR 97310-0340



Office: 503-945-7472

wyatt.williams@oregon.gov

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