Emerald Ash Borer and Look-Alikes
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a member of a family of insects called metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae). Adult EAB are a bright metallic emerald green color and can be found from late May to mid-August. The dorsal side of the abdomen, which can be seen when the wings are spread, is a metallic purplish red. Adult EAB average 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch (10 mm to 20 mm) long and 1/6 inch (4 mm) wide (males are slightly smaller than females). For more help identifying EAB please see the Identifying Emerald Ash Borer fact sheet describing EAB and its signs and symptoms.
Emerald Ash Borer Gallery
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Buprestid Look-Alikes
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Emerald Ash Borer Larvae
EAB larvae can be easy to identify. Look creamy white larvae up to 1.5 inches long feeding in "S" shaped galleries. Larvae have a "nested bells" look to their body segments (other borer larvae in ash do not have these "bells".
Photo Credit: David Cappeart, Michigan State University
Links to EAB Look-Alike Charts and Documents:
For more help in identifying Emerald Ash Borer please see these key resources:
- Identifying the Emerald Ash Borer factsheet- Cornell Cooperative Extension: http://www.nyis.info/pdf/EAB_ID_Poster_CCE.pdf
- EAB Look-Alike Poster- NEPDN: http://www.nyis.info/pdf/EAB_POSTER_NYS_Wanted_Look_Alikes.pdf
- Emerald Ash Borer- A Guide to Identification and Comparison to Similar Species- Michigan State University: http://emeraldashborer.info/files/eab_id_guide.pdf
- Emerald Ash Borers & Similar Buprestidae Beetles and Non-Buprestidae Beetles Found On EAB Purple Sticky Traps- Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey: http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/research/CAPS/docs/EAB%20screening%20sheet.pdf
- Agrilus planipennis Screening Aid- APHIS PPQ: http://emeraldashborer.info/files/agriscrn.pdf
- Native Borers and Emerald Ash Borer Look-alikes- Michigan State University Extension: http://emeraldashborer.info/files/e-2939.pdf
- Distinguishing Emerald Ash Borer from Native Borers- The Ohio State University OARDC Extension: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/neweab/userfiles/native_borers.pdf
- Recognizing Insect Galleries in Ash Trees in Minnesota- Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/~/media/Files/plants/eab/eabreference.ashx
Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this page were taken by Kent Loeffler, Director of the Plant Pathology Photo Lab at Cornell University, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology. http://www.ppath.cornell.edu/PhotoLab/
To distinguish EAB galleries in Ash from galleries of other insects please see the document Recognizing Insect Galleries in Ash Trees in Minnesota
Download EAB Photos:
- Three Profiles Image
- Two Profiles, Female
- Lateral View
- Dorsal View
- Dorsal View, showing abdomen
- Lateral View, Male, Close Up
- Lateral View Female, Close Up
- Front View, Female
- Front View, Male
- Agrilus anxius, Bronze Birch Borer
- Agrilus bilineatus, Twolined Chestnut Borer
- Buprestis maculativentris, Ventrally-Spotted Buprestid
- Buprestis striata, Striated Borer
- Chrysobothris femorata, Flatheaded Appletree Borer
- Chrysobothris sexsignata, Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle
- Dicerca caudata, Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle
- Dicerca divaricata, Flatheaded Cherry Tree Borer
- Dicerca lurida, Lurid Flatheaded Borer
- Phaenops fulvoguttata, Hemlock Borer
- Poecilonota cyanipes, Eastern Poplar Buprestid
- Spectralia gracilipes, Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle
SEE ALSO:
