Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Jul 15, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

I am a reporter. I just wrote a story about EAB. A reader caught one in a plastic jar. I am now in possession. The specimen is alive for now, but secured in the plastic jar.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family, the Western cedar borer, Trachykele blondeli. These beetles are larger and less slender than EAB. They are not tree killers.

There are a number of iridescent green look-alike beetles in Oregon that are not pests. I am attaching a link to the ODA EAB webpage with some photos of other Oregon insects that could be mistaken for EAB

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/IPPM/SurveyTreatment/Documents/EABLookAlikes.pdf

Thanks for being on the lookout!

Tom Valente
July 18, 2022, 2:30 a.m.

Resources

Western Cedar Borer information on iNaturalist and a guide to wood boring beetles in Oregon from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Location

Hawthorne Street in Eugene. Near River Road and Park Avenue

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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