# Emerald Ash Borer (*Agrilus planipennis*) The Emerald Ash Borer is a shiny green beetle that loves to eat ash trees. They are small but can cause big problems for forests. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** EAB, Emerald Ash Beetle ![Emerald Ash Borer](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425955/objects/6072.jpg) ## Appearance The Emerald Ash Borer is a slender, metallic green beetle with iridescent wing covers. Its flat back distinguishes it from many other beetles, and under its wings, segments of its body are a coppery-red or purplish color. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Buprestidae - **Genus:** Agrilus ## Interesting facts - First found in North America in 2002, likely arrived in wood packing. - It's tiny, yet has wiped out millions of ash trees across North America! - Its invasion costs billions of dollars in tree removal and treatment. - This beetle creates unique D-shaped exit holes when it emerges from trees. ## Special abilities - **Ash Tree Scent Tracker:** This beetle has specialized antennae that help them detect ash trees by their unique chemical scents, guiding them to perfect egg-laying spots. - **Tree Destroyer:** Emerald Ash Borer larvae can bore winding tunnels under ash tree bark because of their strong mandibles, which helps them consume vital tissues. - **D-Shaped Exit:** Emerald Ash Borer larvae pupate and then chew a distinctive D-shaped hole to exit the tree, which helps identify their presence. - **Iridescent Camouflage:** The Emerald Ash Borer has a shimmering green exoskeleton that helps it blend into leafy environments, evading predators. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 7.5-13.5 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Emerald Ash Borer larvae consume the inner bark of ash trees, cutting off nutrient flow. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume ash tree inner bark; adults nibble ash leaves but cause less damage. - **Primary Foods:** Ash tree phloem, Ash tree cambium, Ash tree leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [White Ash](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-ash) (*Fraxinus americana*) — Larvae tunnel under bark, killing trees. - **Parasitizes:** [Green Ash](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-ash) (*Fraxinus pennsylvanica*) — Major host tree for larval development. - **Eaten by:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — Woodpeckers excavate bark to eat larvae. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid touching these beetles as they can harm trees. If you see one, tell an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emerald Ash Borer? 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. ### How big is Emerald Ash Borer? 7.5-13.5 mm ### How long does Emerald Ash Borer live? 365-730 days ### How fast can Emerald Ash Borer fly? 10 km/h ### What does Emerald Ash Borer eat? Emerald Ash Borer larvae consume the inner bark of ash trees, cutting off nutrient flow. ### Where is Emerald Ash Borer usually found? Forests ### How does Emerald Ash Borer hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Emerald Ash Borer have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Chester-Blandford State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chester-blandford-state-forest) — Massachusetts, US · Forest - [Great Falls Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-falls-dam) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Emerald Ash Borer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/emerald-ash-borer) ## 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*) --- Source: [Emerald Ash Borer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emerald-ash-borer)