Coleoptera: Buprestidae - Emerald Ash Borer

emerald ash borer (continued)• In EAB the dorsal surface of theabdomen is bright coppery-red.This may only be visible if theelytra and wings are raised.• EAB is the only Agrilus speciesfound in North America that has thedorsal surface of the abdomen brightmetallic red. This may be the simplestdiagnostic character for separating EABfrom all other Agrilus in North America.• The dorsum of the abdomen is normallyblack, green or blue on all other NorthAmerican species of Agrilus .• Note: The hind wings on many Agrilus speciesoften have a reddish or pinkish iridescence thatmay be visible on the folded wings if the elytraare not completely closed. This may give theimpression of a reddish abdomen when in factit is only the hind wings that reflect this color.The only reliable way to determine the dorsalabdominal color is by spreading apart the elytraand hind wings to view the dorsum of theabdomen from above.upper sideof abdomencoppery-redin EABAgrilus bilineatus – the dorsumof the abdomen is actuallyblack in this species, but thefolded hind wings show areddish iridescence whichmakes it appear that theabdomen beneath the wings isreddish.