Insects and Spiders - native

unknown on May 31, 2025

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

It was about an inch long and reminded me of a bullet. I remember it's casing being very shiny and reflective and iridescent.

Commentary

There are a number of iridescent green look-alike beetles in Oregon that are not pests. I am attaching a link to the ODF EAB webpage with some photos of other Oregon insects that could be mistaken for EAB

https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify

Thanks for being on the lookout!

Tom Valente
June 2, 2025, 1:01 a.m.

Location

I was running off the Starker Willard's Trail under the power lines west of Tum Tum Rd when a weird insect bounced off my chest. I'm a biologist and I'd never seen this kind of beetle before. I looked it up online and I think it was an Emerald Ash Borer! It was in bright sunlight under the power lines that have 3-4 year seedlings planted just before I hit the larger tree line and shade. If you know the area I was just about to hit the western edge of the "Eerie Forest" as it is labeled by Starker. I was NW of the actual "Eerie Forest" signs.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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