Insects and Spiders - native

Western Cedar Borer (Trachykele blondeli) on Sep 1, 2026

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Description of specimen

Submitter has sample

Dead beetle on the ground. Body is fairly dried out. Outer wing/cover broke off when picked up. No ash trees in immediate area, but there are some within ~ 200 feet.

Commentary

Avatar of commenter 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
Sept. 1, 2026, 10:49 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

Dead beetle found on grass lawn by arbor vitae.

Expert Reviewer

Avatar of Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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