Bug Identifier
Jewel Beetle (specifically the Golden Buprestid or similar iridescent wood borer)
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)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.