
Community identification
Jewel Beetle (specifically the Golden Buprestid or similar iridescent wood borer)
Buprestis aurulenta
- Order & Family
- Order Coleoptera, Family Buprestidae
- Size
- 12 to 20 mm (approx. 0.5 to 0.8 inches)
Natural Habitat
Coniferous forests and woodlands throughout western North America; often found on Douglas-fir, pine, and spruce trees.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae are wood-borers that feed on the sapwood and heartwood of dead or dying conifers; adults feed on needles and tender bark.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal and highly active in sunny weather; they are known for an incredibly long larval stage, sometimes remaining inside timber or finished lumber for decades before emerging.
Risks & Benefits
Environmentally beneficial as decomposers that help break down dead wood; however, they are considered a minor nuisance if they emerge from structural wood inside homes.