Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Aug 12, 2022

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

See above. iNaturalist identified it as a Trachykele blondeli in the Buprestidae family. Metallic green. See photo at above link.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is the Western cedar borer, Trachykele blondeli, a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family. 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
Aug. 12, 2022, 4:21 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

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/121806596

I found this insect in my house on June 14, photographed it, and submittted it to iNaturalist where it was identified as a Western Cedar Borer. When the news came out about the Ash Borer I had second thoughts and called but your phone line was flooded. I am making another attempt to report the insect. You will find date, location, and my photo on the link above. I did not save the insect. You will see that I live in NW Portland below the Pittock Mansion in a heavily wooded area. The trees are primarily Douglas fir and Big-leaf maple.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

© 2025 Portland State University | Contact us for questions regarding site content