Insects and Spiders - native

Jewel Beetles, species unknown (Buprestis spp.) on Jul 12, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Green, iridescent insect

Commentary

Thank you for your report! I think you are correct that this is likely the native, non-destructive species, the golden buprestid, Buprestis aurulenta, but there are a couple other Buprestis species here so I have ID'd it just to the genus. None of the Buprestis beetles are cause for concern. You can see more photos and a range map of golden buprestid beetles on iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/215596-Buprestis-aurulenta. Emerald ash borers are about half the size of golden buprestids and a quarter as wide. There is a nice guide to look-alikes from ODA here: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/IPPM/SurveyTreatment/Documents/EABLookAlikes.pdf

Lindsey Wise
July 14, 2022, 6:33 a.m.

Resources

There are a few native, non-destructive wood boring beetles in the Buprestis genus, several of which are metallic green and may be confused with the Emerald Ash Borer. There is a nice guide from Oregon Dept of Agriculture for EAB look-alikes and you can learn more about the Buprestis beetles of Oregon at iNaturalist.

Location

Found iridescent green insect on July 9, 2022, on the flat, dry ground of my backyard in Scappoose, Oregon.

Expert Reviewer

Mrs. Lindsey Wise
Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, inr.oregonstate.edu/orbic
Oregon iMapInvasives
Institute for Natural Resources
Portland State University

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