Two-lined Chestnut Borer
Agrilus bilineatus
This record describes Agrilus bilineatus (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae are a major mortality agent of stressed oaks, particularly red oaks (Muzika et al. 2000)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Agrilinae
- Tribe
- Agrilini
- Genus
- Agrilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e.NA (NB‒FL to MB‒TX)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: many oaks; adults feed on chestnut blight spores
Life History
Overwinters as prepupa in cells of the outer layer of sapwood and sometimes in the bark ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agrilus bilineatus (Weber 1801)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agrilus bilineatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Two-lined Chestnut Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Phillip Harpootlian , Mike Quinn , Nick Block , v belov , mfdigiro , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-lined Chestnut Borer
What is Two-lined Chestnut Borer?
Two-lined Chestnut Borer (Agrilus bilineatus) is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Two-lined Chestnut Borer?
4.2‒9.5 mm
Where is Two-lined Chestnut Borer found?
Range: e.NA (NB‒FL to MB‒TX)
What does Two-lined Chestnut Borer eat?
The diet of the Two-lined Chestnut Borer includes hosts: many oaks; adults feed on chestnut blight spores.
What is the life cycle of a Two-lined Chestnut Borer?
Overwinters as prepupa in cells of the outer layer of sapwood and sometimes in the bark ( 4 )