Agrilini

Laporte, 1835

Genus Guides

Agrilus(jewel beetles)
Lepismadora(Algodones sand jewel beetle (for sole species L. algodones))
Paragrilus

Agrilini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the Buprestidae, Agrilinae. The tribe comprises at least 40 described and over 180 described , distributed across multiple subtribes including Agrilina, Amorphosternina, Amyiina, and Rhaeboscelidina. The genus Agrilus, the largest genus in the tribe, contains numerous species including several significant forest pests such as the emerald ash borer (A. planipennis).

Agrilus carpini by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Agrilus cephalicus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Agrilus cephalicus by (c) Emily Franzen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emily Franzen. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agrilini: //ˌæɡrɪˈlaɪnɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Agrilini can be distinguished from other Buprestidae tribes by their association with the Agrilinae and their typically slender, cylindrical body form. The tribe includes the Agrilus, characterized by small to medium size, often brilliant metallic coloration, and antennal serrations beginning on the third antennomere. Subtribal distinctions rely on characters of the , mesosternum, and male genitalia.

Images

Distribution

The tribe has a distribution with representatives on every continent except Antarctica. Major faunal centers include the Nearctic, Palearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan, and Australian regions. The Agrilus alone has been documented from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Human Relevance

Several Agrilini are economically significant forest and landscape pests. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), native to Asia and in North America, has caused extensive mortality of native ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) across eastern North America. Other Agrilus species are known to damage various hardwood trees, and the tribe has been the focus of extensive biosurveillance efforts using the Cerceris fumipennis, which preys almost exclusively on Buprestidae including Agrilini.

Similar Taxa

CoraebiniAlso placed in Agrilinae; distinguished by different prosternal and mesosternal structure, and different larval associations
TracheiniAlso in Agrilinae; differs in antennal structure and body proportions, with generally broader and more flattened body form
ChrysobothriniIn Buprestinae rather than Agrilinae; members typically have broader, more flattened bodies and different antennal structure with serrations beginning on different antennomeres

More Details

Taxonomic structure

The tribe is divided into four subtribes: Agrilina (the largest, containing Agrilus and related ), Amorphosternina, Amyiina, and Rhaeboscelidina. Several genera remain of uncertain placement (incertae sedis).

Research significance

Agrilini has been intensively studied due to the emerald ash borer, leading to development of novel detection methods including biosurveillance using Cerceris fumipennis and -based trapping systems.