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Jewel beetles

Jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) are a large group of beetles belonging to the order Coleoptera. Named for their iridescent metallic colors, they are significant pests in both forestry and horticulture. There are thousands of species within this family, many of which are specialized wood-borers that can cause severe economic damage to healthy and stressed trees alike.

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Acacia buprestid Agrilus prionurus Agrilus Agrilus Agrilus carpini Agrilus carpini Agrilus kalshoveni Agrilus kalshoveni Agrilus roscidus Agrilus roscidus Agrilus setipes Agrilus setipes Agrilus solieri Agrilus solieri Agrilus tchitcherini Agrilus tchitcherini Agrilus vestitus Agrilus vestitus Alder buprestid Dicerca alni Anthaxia beetle Anthaxia Anthaxia candens Anthaxia candens Apple flatheaded borer Agrilus mali Apricot borer Sphenoptera foveola Arabian flathead borer Sphenoptera arabica Asemochrysus Asemochrysus Asemochrysus rugulosus Asemochrysus rugulosus Aspen buprestid Poecilonota Belionota Belionota Belionota prasina Belionota prasina Birch jewel beetle Dicerca berolinensis Black buprestid Capnodis cariosa Black Buprestid Melanophila Black flat-headed borer Capnodis Black poplar buprestid Agrilus ater Blue pine buprestid Phaenops cyanea Bronze birch borer Agrilus anxius Buprestid beetles Buprestis California flatheaded borer Phaenops californica California oak borer Agrilus angelicus Capnodis porosa Capnodis porosa Capnodis tenebricosa Capnodis tenebricosa Chalcophora fortis Chalcophora fortis Chalcophora mariana Chalcophora mariana Chalcophorella buprestid Chalcophorella Chalcophorella campestris Chalcophorella campestris Charcoal beetle Melanophila acuminata Chinese buprestid beetle Ptosima chinensis Chrysobothris chrysoela Chrysobothris chrysoela Chrysobothris nixa Chrysobothris nixa Chrysophana beetle Chrysophana Citrus flat-headed borer Agrilus occipitalis Citrus flathead borer Agrilus auriventris Coal buprestid Capnodis carbonaria Coraebus fasciatus Coraebus fasciatus Cork oak borer Coraebus undatus Cotton buprestid Sphenoptera gossypii Cypress borer Buprestis cupressi Cypress buprestid Lamprodila festiva Cypress buprestid Trachykele blondeli Cypress Buprestid Trachykele leconti Cypress buprestid Trachykele nimbosa Cypress buprestid Trachykele opulenta Dicerca Dicerca Dicerca aenea Dicerca aenea Dicerca aino Dicerca aino Dicerca horni Dicerca horni Dicerca pugionata Dicerca pugionata Dicerca tenebrosa Dicerca tenebrosa Drummond's Flatheaded Borer Melanophila drummondi

Jewel beetles

These pests target a diverse range of host plants, including orchard fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and hardwood timber trees. They are particularly attracted to weakened or injured trees, but some species are aggressive enough to attack and kill healthy specimens by girdling the vascular system through their feeding activities.

The biology of jewel beetles is characterized by a long larval stage hidden within the host tree. Adult females deposit eggs into bark crevices. Once hatched, the larvae bore into the phloem and xylem layers. Their life cycle can span one to several years depending on the species, which makes tracking and identifying infestations complex.

The damage caused by Buprestidae is primarily due to larvae feeding, which creates irregular galleries beneath the bark. This disrupts the tree's internal nutrient and water transport. Common symptoms of an infestation include leaf yellowing, branch dieback, crown thinning, and the presence of D-shaped exit holes on the trunk surface.

Management strategies focus on sanitation and preventative care. Key measures include:

  • Regular inspection of trees for signs of exit holes.
  • Pruning and removing infested branches to reduce population density.
  • Maintaining tree vigor through proper irrigation and fertilization.
  • Applying systemic or contact insecticides during the adult emergence phase.
These combined practices are essential for protecting high-value crops and maintaining the health of landscape plantings.