Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle
Scientific Name: Buprestidae (general family name without a specific species identified from the image)
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Buprestidae
Size: Typically 3 mm to 100 mm, but most common species are between 10 mm and 30 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Adults are commonly found on or near trees and logs, especially in forests and wooded areas. Larvae live inside the wood of various trees.
Diet & Feeding
Adult metallic wood-boring beetles typically feed on leaves or pollen. The larvae, however, are wood-borers, feeding on the cambium and xylem of trees and shrubs.
Behavior Patterns
Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Many Buprestids are attracted to stressed or freshly cut trees, which makes them significant pests in forestry. Their larvae bore into wood, creating tunnels.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Many species are significant economic pests in forestry and agriculture, causing damage to timber and fruit trees. Benefits: Some species are involved in decomposition, and certain parasitic wasps prey on their larvae, which can help control their populations. The iridescent colors of many species make them popular with collectors.
Identified on: 8/10/2025