Insects and Spiders - native

Golden Buprestid Beetle (Buprestis aurulenta) on Jul 16, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Metallic green wings. Fly-like, maybe not emerald ash borer, but found 2 at our home just east of beach as well.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is a native, non-destructive species, the golden buprestid, Buprestis aurulenta. This insect feeds on a wide variety of conifers, unlike emerald ash borer, which feeds only on ash. The golden buprestid only attacks dying or recently dead trees. However, the grubs can survive for decades in untreated lumber cut from infested trees, sometimes emerging from houses many years after construction. Golden buprestids cannot reinfest lumber or houses. 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 18, 2022, 1:37 a.m.