Insects and Spiders - native

Jewel Beetles, species unknown (Buprestis spp.) on Jul 20, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

My brother went to his parked car in front of my home and found this insect on his windshield. I live at 138 N. Wheeler Loop in Sisters. I have it in a bottle at my home.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family, probably a species of Buprestis. 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 20, 2022, 8:57 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

Sisters, Oregon at The Pines housing development

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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