Golden Buprestid / Jewel Beetle

Natural Habitat

Coniferous forests, particularly near logs and freshly cut timber; occasionally found in wood-structured buildings

Diet & Feeding

Larvae (flatheaded borers) feed on the wood of dead or dying conifers like Douglas fir and pine; adults feed on needles and tender bark

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal and most active in bright sunlight; known for an extremely long larval stage that can last over 30 years if the wood becomes dry after construction

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial as forest decomposers; can be a minor nuisance if they emerge from structural wood, but they do not re-infest seasoned lumber and pose no threat to humans

Identified on: 6/15/2026