metallic wood-boring beetles

Agrilus is a very large, exceptionally diverse genus of beetles known as metallic wood-boring beetles or jewel beetles. There almost 3,000 currently recognized species in about 40 subgenera worldwide, more than any other genus in the animal kingdom. There are 174 species in 2 subgenera North America north of Mexico, and at least 31 species in Minnesota. They occur on every continent except Greenland and Antarctica.

They are found on hardwood broad-leaved plants. Larvae are wood borers. They create tunnels beneath the bark and are rarely seen. Adults feed on the leaves of the same species that host the larvae.

The most well known member is the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), which is responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of ash trees in North America. The most destructive member is the two-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus). It attacks oaks, beech, ironwood, and chestnut trees.

Agrilus adults are ⅛″ to 9⁄16″ (3.0 to 14.5 mm) long. The body is rigid, bullet-shaped, narrow, and long. The upper (dorsal) side is frequently metallic and usually shiny. The under (ventral) side is nearly always iridescent. Some species have yellow or yellowish spots, one species has yellow stripes. The forewings (elytra) have nearly parallel sides and often taper to a point at the rear. The antennae are short and sawtoothed. They have 11 segments. The last part of the leg (tarsus), corresponding to the foot, has 5 segments.

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

This genus has no common name. The common name of the family Buprestidae is metallic wood-boring beetles, and it is applied here for convenience.

Location: Woodbury, MN