Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Jul 9, 2025

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

On June 16 about 230 in the afternoon we were in our backyard and spotted a super green looking bug never saw one before so we took a photo and just saw it on the news so we are reporting it

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 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
July 10, 2025, 2:03 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

My backyard it flew by and landed in my fence 140 NE Baldwin St Portland Oregon 97211

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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