Agrilus subcinctus

Distinguished from the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) by larval morphology: fourth instar larvae similar in size to second instar EAB; abdominal segment shape differs; pronotal groove and urogomphi distinct from EAB. Adults captured on yellow sticky cards. Specific adult coloration and body form not described in available sources.

Dead ash twigs (Fraxinus); eggs and immature stages found exclusively on dead ash twigs, not living stems or branches. Associated with ash stands in the Great Lakes region of the United States.

Native to North America; recorded from the Great Lakes region (United States), southern Michigan, Ontario (Canada), and Vermont. GBIF records indicate presence in the Nearctic region.

Adults fly from late May through mid-August, with peak activity in June. Egg laying begins late May to early June.

• Fraxinus spp. - larval hostdead ash twigs only; eggs and immature stages restricted to dead twigs

Four larval instars; adult flight period late May through mid-August; egg laying begins late May to early June; eggs smaller than those of emerald ash borer.

Males locate females via visually guided aerial approach from up to 1 m above females, similar to Agrilus planipennis. Upon landing, males land significantly more often on the leaf surface supporting a female model rather than directly on the model itself—a behavior distinct from A. cyanescens, which lands directly on female models. Males perform precopulatory pounce behavior after assessing surface chemical cues with their antennae. Contact sex pheromones mediate subsequent copulation behavior after physical contact.

Native ash borer; serves as host for multiple hymenopteran parasitoid species including representatives of Encyrtidae, Braconidae, Eurytomidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, and Pteromalidae. Restricted to dead wood, thus not a primary tree mortality agent.

Studied primarily for comparison with the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) to aid in identification and management of the pest species. Native status means it does not cause significant economic damage to living trees.

• Agrilus planipennisBoth species develop in ash (Fraxinus); distinguished by A. subcinctus restriction to dead twigs versus EAB infestation of live stems and branches; larval morphology differs in abdominal segment shape, pronotal groove, and urogomphi; A. subcinctus eggs are smaller.
• Agrilus cyanescensBoth species studied together for mating behavior; both use visual aerial orientation to locate females up to 1 m away; distinguished by landing behavior—A. subcinctus males land on leaf surface near females while A. cyanescens lands directly on female models.

• Buprestidae
• jewel beetle
• native species
• ash
• Fraxinus
• parasitoid host
• Great Lakes
• mating behavior
• visual orientation
• contact pheromones

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Two new species of Agrilus from Mexico | Beetles In The Bush
• Agrilus fuscipennis on Persimmon | Beetles In The Bush
• GBCT Beetle #2: Agrilus walsinghami | Beetles In The Bush
• North America’s Most Beautiful Agrilus Jewel Beetle | Beetles In The Bush
• A flower visiting jewel beetle that is not an Acmaeodera | Beetles In The Bush
• Josef Knull was wrong! | Beetles In The Bush
• Field investigation of mating behaviour of Agrilus cyanescens and Agrilus subcinctus
• Biology and Larval Morphology of Agrilus subcinctus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with Comparisons to the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis