Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Jul 5, 2023

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

a metallic emerald green/gold beetle with corkscrew antenna. Body of the beetle is just shy of 1 inch long. Startlingly shiny in the sun and very noticeable.

I am not an entemologist, just a gardener, so I am not sure of the ID but have the beetle contained in a mason jar in my house and will save it until I am contacted/for an extended period if not contacted.

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
July 11, 2023, 5:19 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

found in my backyard garden in the open next to my compost pile

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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