# Agrilus

The Agrilus is a shiny beetle that loves to munch on trees! These little creatures are often spotted on the bark of their favorite plants.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Agrilus beetles are commonly found in forests and woodlands where their host trees grow.
- **Also known as:** Metallic Beetle

![Agrilus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Agrilus_biguttatus_bl.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Siga, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agrilus_biguttatus_bl.JPG)

## Appearance

The Agrilus is a slender, metallic-colored beetle, often displaying iridescent greens, blues, or coppers. Its elongated, torpedo-shaped body tapers to a pointed rear, distinguishing it from broader-bodied beetles. They possess short antennae and large eyes.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Buprestidae
- **Genus:** Agrilus

## Interesting facts

- Female Agrilus can lay hundreds of tiny eggs in tree bark crevices!
- Some Agrilus larvae can live for several years hidden inside trees!
- There are over 3,000 different kinds of Agrilus beetles found worldwide!
- These beetles have powerful chewing mouthparts to munch on wood and leaves!

## Special abilities

- **Woody Wizardry:** Agrilus larvae can tunnel deep into tree wood because of strong mandibles, which helps them find food and stay hidden.
- **Shiny Disguise:** Agrilus has a brilliant metallic exoskeleton that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark or leaves, avoiding predators.
- **Play Dead Ploy:** Agrilus can suddenly freeze and drop to the ground, appearing lifeless, which helps them trick birds and other predators.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 6-30 mm
- **Size:** 3-15 mm
- **Lifespan:** 14-56 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Larvae munch on wood, while adult Agrilus beetles nibble on tree leaves.

- **Age differences:** Larvae bore into tree wood and feed on inner tissues; adults feed on leaves and sometimes pollen.
- **Primary Foods:** cambium, phloem, xylem, tree leaves, pollen
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Ash tree (*Fraxinus americana*) — Larvae bore into and damage ash trees.
- **Eaten by:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Larvae of some species feed on oak tissues.
- **Hunts:** [Great Spotted Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-spotted-woodpecker) (*Dendrocopos major*) — Woodpeckers hunt Agrilus larvae under tree bark.
- **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Ants may prey on adult Agrilus beetles.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Agrilus?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Agrilus's wingspan?

6-30 mm

### How big is Agrilus?

3-15 mm

### How long does Agrilus live?

14-56 days

### What does Agrilus eat?

Larvae munch on wood, while adult Agrilus beetles nibble on tree leaves.

### Where is Agrilus usually found?

Agrilus beetles are commonly found in forests and woodlands where their host trees grow.

### How does Agrilus hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Agrilus have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Lakeshore Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lakeshore-park) — Michigan, US · Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Agrilus: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/agrilus)