European Oak Borer
Agrilus sulcicollis
This record describes Agrilus sulcicollis (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Discriminating A. sulcicollis from A. cyanescens ( Zablotny yyyy? ) earliest NA record: ON 1995; earliest US record: MI 2003 ( Haack et al. 2010 )
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 Europe (except extreme north) , adventive in NA (ON, NY, MI) ( Haack et al. 2010 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: various oaks ( Quercus ), chestnut ( Castanea ), beech ( Fagus )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agrilus (Quercuagrilus) sulcicollis Lacordaire 1835
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agrilus sulcicollis. 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 European Oak Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About European Oak Borer
What is European Oak Borer?
European Oak Borer (Agrilus sulcicollis) is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is European Oak Borer?
5-9 mm
How do you identify European Oak Borer?
Discriminating A. sulcicollis from A. cyanescens ( Zablotny yyyy? )
Where is European Oak Borer found?
Range: Native to Europe (except extreme north) , adventive in NA (ON, NY, MI) ( Haack et al. 2010 )
What does European Oak Borer eat?
The diet of the European Oak Borer includes hosts: various oaks ( Quercus ), chestnut ( Castanea ), beech ( Fagus ).