Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Mar 30, 2023

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Suspected emerald ash borer. Bright iridescent green. About 1.5" long. Found on a fallen tree, possibly Juniper, not an Ash tree.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family, the Western cedar borer, Trachykele blondeli. 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
April 3, 2023, 1:25 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

North Syracuse at North Leavitt Ave. Portland OR. Found on a fallen tree. Not ash tree, possibly juniper tree.
Coordinates:
45.588582, -122.754836

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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