Agrilus ornatulus

Adults are small to medium-sized Agrilus, typically 5–8 mm in length, with the characteristic elongate, somewhat flattened body form of the genus. The species exhibits metallic coloration, likely coppery or greenish-bronze. Distinguishing A. ornatulus from other Agrilus species requires examination of specific morphological features including the pronotal and elytral sculpture, antennal serration, and genitalia. The species may be confused with A. sapindi, which also occurs on soapberry; separation relies on subtle differences in elytral punctation and coloration.

Associated with soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) woodlands and riparian areas where this host plant occurs. Adults have been collected from both living foliage and dead branches of the host. The species inhabits dry to mesic environments in the southwestern United States, including desert scrub, oak-juniper woodland, and riparian corridors.

North America: southwestern United States (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) and northern Mexico. Records from the Davis Mountains of Texas, Mescalero Sands of New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona.

Adults active in late spring to early summer, with records from May and June. Activity likely coincides with new foliage flush on host plants.

Larvae are wood-borers, developing in living or recently dead branches of Sapindus saponaria (soapberry). Adults feed on foliage of the host plant.

• Sapindus saponaria - larval hostsoapberry; larvae bore in living or dead branches, adults feed on foliage

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Larvae are wood-borers in soapberry branches, creating galleries under the bark. Pupation occurs in a pupal chamber within the wood. Adults emerge through exit holes and are found on host foliage.

Adults are diurnal and have been collected by beating living branches and sweeping foliage of the host plant. They are likely strong fliers, as are most Agrilus species. Adults may drop from foliage when disturbed, a common defensive behavior in the genus.

As a wood-boring beetle, larvae contribute to nutrient cycling by breaking down dead and dying wood. The species is a primary consumer of soapberry, with limited impact on healthy trees but potential to affect stressed or damaged individuals.

Minor economic significance; not a major pest of cultivated soapberry or related species. Of interest to collectors and researchers studying southwestern buprestid fauna.

• Agrilus sapindiAlso associated with Sapindus saponaria; distinguished by differences in elytral sculpture, coloration, and antennal structure
• Agrilus limpiaeOccurs on soapberry in similar range; distinguished by morphological features of pronotum and elytra
• Agrilus fisherianusSimilar size and general appearance; distinguished by host association (Salix vs. Sapindus) and structural details

• Buprestidae
• Agrilus
• wood-borer
• soapberry
• Southwest
• host-specific

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• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Erotylidae | Beetles In The Bush