Metallic Wood Borers (Family Buprestidae) on May 24, 2023

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Found at noonish on 5-23-23. Its currently sunny and 65’. Ground/ plants watered 2 days ago in this spot but the bird bath was filled this morning. Bird bath sits on birch stump. Bug looks like a beetle with green under the brownish covering/wings. Was worried is was ash borer.

Many birch trees died in the area and have been hearing its caused by boring beetles from the neighbors but the arborist who removed my last 3 birch trees fall 2022 says its not that. He said it is old freeze damage. Honestly, I believe he is correct. (L&J tree care @ (541) 726-8286).

I am not sure if this bug flew in or came out of the birch stump as I was removing a birdbath. The bug is not solid emerald but I was still worried it could be the invasive ash killer.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the same family as EAB, but it is in the genus Chrysobothris. 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
May 24, 2023, 6:15 a.m.