| DESCRIPTION |
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Golden Buprestids may live 60 years in lumber.
They are California's most spectacularly-colored beetle. The adult beetle
is about 2 cm long, and golden green or blue-green in color, with the median
suture and margins entirely bordered with copper. The larva is white, and
about 3.5 cm long.
The golden buprestid prefers Douglas fir, but will also attack several species
of pine, spruce, and fir, and is occasionally found in western red cedar.
Adults usually oviposit on bark of dead or dying trees. They are especially
fond of trees which have lightning-struck, fire-scorched, or recently felled.
Resinous wood is preferred.
The tunnels are broadly oval, reach a width of about 10 mm, and vary in length
from 1 to 5 m. The tunnels are packed with powdery borings.
Adults emerge most frequently in spring and early summer, but inside buildings
they emerge most frequently between late fall and late spring. The adults
live 3 to 5 months.