Insects and Spiders - native

unknown on Jul 12, 2025

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Iridescent green beetle with reddish thorax under the shell wings. Oval body the length of a nickel.

I didn't keep the specimen. I drowned it in an empty bottle and dumped its body into the river.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! EAB is not known from your area yet, so without a photo or specimen or characteristic damage to ash trees, it isn't possible to confirm what you saw.

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 14, 2025, 1:23 a.m.

Location

On the primary sandy bank of the river near the nude beach entrance of Rooster Rock beach. The treeline was sparse, but wooded with mostly shrubs. One flew into my beach tent while I was in it, where the specimen was killed.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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