Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle, Jewel Beetle

Forests, woodlands, orchards, and urban areas with trees, as their larvae develop in wood.

Adults generally feed on pollen, nectar, or sometimes leaves, depending on the species. Larvae, known as flatheaded borers, feed on the phloem and xylem of trees, specifically dead, dying, or stressed trees, though some species attack healthy trees.

Adults are active flyers and are often found on or near their host trees during warm daylight hours. Females lay eggs in bark crevices. Larvae bore into the wood, feeding on the phloem and xylem, creating serpentine galleries under the bark. They pupate within the wood.

Risks: Many species are significant pests of trees, particularly hardwood and conifer species, causing damage that can lead to tree death. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), a highly destructive invasive species in this family, is a major example. Benefits: Some species contribute to the decomposition of dead wood, playing a role in forest ecosystems.