Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Aug 13, 2025

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

These were found in our front yard landscaping, 1 found on June 1st, 3 more found on August 1st and a piece of one on August 14th.
4 specimens found in our front yard, all were dead.
We had all of our Ash trees injected with the pesticide on May 16th
We have also looked over our trees and do not see any signs that they have been infected

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
Aug. 14, 2025, 9:23 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

711 NW Crestwood Ct.
McMinnville, OR 97128
Our property is on Cozine creek

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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