Insects and Spiders - native

Golden Buprestid Beetle (Buprestis aurulenta) on Jul 26, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Not sure as the pictures of the Ash Borer I find online are slightly different especially around the head/eye area. Specimen in approx 18mm in length. shiny emerald in color, the back "wing covers" have definitive black striations. Underside has a distinct copper color. Pictures are attached. I have the specimen in a bag if you want me to send it to you.
Let me know what you identify this as.

Thank you,

Doug Kistler

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family, the Golden Buprestid, Buprestis aurulenta. These beetles are larger and less slender than EAB. They are not tree killers. Their grubs live in dead conifers.

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 26, 2022, 4:46 a.m.

Resources

Golden Buprestid Beetle information from iNaturalist

Location

back yard of this residence

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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