Insects and Spiders - native

Jewel Beetles, species unknown (Buprestis spp.) on Aug 22, 2022

Originally reported as A metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

iridescent beetle small

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family in the genus 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
Aug. 23, 2022, 2:17 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

I was hiking with my wife at McDonald Dunn forest on 600 Patterson west of the Lewisburg saddle. I felt a bug hit my hand and thought I recognized the bug as an invasive insect that killed ash or elm. I took a picture and killed the bug on the forest road.
The photo should have Metadata for exact location.

Please let me know if I can assist you more

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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