Report #2778 - Report: A metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens)

A metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens) on Aug 7, 2019

Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

Recently saw a posting about this species attacking native twinberry in Portland. Earlier this year my landlord dug out a very large twinberry that had been dying back and I suspect this is what caused it. We have a smaller twinberry still in the yard and I found d-shaped holes on the older wood. A coworker confirmed it is definitely some kind of Agrilus.

Commentary

Both ODF and ODA have been alerted and are monitoring. Local expert notified. Attempting to obtain plant or insect samples for identification.

Wyatt Williams
Aug. 8, 2019, 6:42 a.m.

Confirmed by Dr. Rick Westcott, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture: Agrilus cyanescens. Exotic Palearctic species. Established in NE U.S. since at least 1922. I added a picture of an adult male that died prior to emerging from the woody stem. Exit hole is approximately 2mm wide.

This is second record of this insect in Oregon and Pacific NW. (First record was made to the Oregon Invasive Online Hotline on May 9.) Known host plants in U.S. and Europe include those in the genus Lonicera (honeysuckles) including the native plant, twinberry (Lonicera involucrata Richardson).

Good job on finding and reporting this insect. Graduates of Oregon Forest Pest Detectors and other interested parties: please take photos and use the online Hotline to report similar damage, which include branch dieback, D-shaped exit holes, and metallic green beetles feeding on plants in April-May. Capture any insects you may see but leave damaged portions of plants intact until a natural resource professional can visit the site. Thank you.
Wyatt Williams

Wyatt Williams
Aug. 13, 2019, 2:19 a.m.

A metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens) on Aug 7, 2019

Description of specimen

Commentary

Resources

Location

Expert Reviewer