St. John's Wort Root Borer
Agrilus hyperici
This record describes Agrilus hyperici (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Agrilus hyperici, the St. John's wort root borer, is a species of jewel beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against common St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in areas where it is a noxious weed or invasive species.
Identification notes
adult habitus photos by Boris Loboda • Josef Dvořák
Wikipedia reference for Agrilus hyperici: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrilus_hyperici.
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
native to w. Palaearctic, intentionally introduced and established in so.BC-WA-CA-MT
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agrilus hyperici (Creutzer 1799)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agrilus hyperici. 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 St. John's Wort Root Borer (4)
Photo credits: (c) Tom Kwast, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tom Kwast | (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas | (c) Adrian Ruicănescu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Adrian Ruicănescu | Contributed by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About St. John's Wort Root Borer
What is St. John's Wort Root Borer?
St. John's Wort Root Borer (Agrilus hyperici) is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is St. John's Wort Root Borer?
3.5-6 mm
How do you identify St. John's Wort Root Borer?
adult habitus photos by Boris Loboda • Josef Dvořák
Where is St. John's Wort Root Borer found?
Range: native to w. Palaearctic, intentionally introduced and established in so.BC-WA-CA-MT
What does St. John's Wort Root Borer eat?
The diet of the St. John's Wort Root Borer includes host: St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ).