Pacific Flatheaded Borer

Uncommon in Alberta.

June and July.

Known from southern British Columbia, southern Alberta and Southern Manitoba, south through the western United States (Fisher 1942, Bright 1987).

This is 1 of 2 species of Chrysobothris with white hairs covering the elytra. These hairs are often short, inconspicuous or worn, leading a person to key the beetle out through the other half of Couplet 1 in the above key. The head and pronotum are also covered with white hairs. The sides of the pronotum are straight; and the base is wider than the width of the head. Each elytron has 3 or 4 costae with the first more strongly elevated towards the posterior. Three foveae are present, each densely punctured, and usually reddish in colour are located between the first and second costae, at the end of the third costae and one interrupting the middle of the second costa. The tooth on the profemur is serrate distally.

Southern deciduous woodlands.

In warmer, southern parts of the beetles range, there is usually one generation per year. In cooler, northern climates, the larval period may be extended to two years (Burke 1929). The larvae chew broad irregular shallow tunnels through the inner bark and sapwood. In the Pacific Northwest, these beetles are responsible for the destruction of newly planted orchards trees (Baker 1977).

Known to feed on a wide range of deciduous trees and shrubs, including maple, hawthorn, willow, alder, poplar, cherry and elm (Bright 1987). In some parts of its range it is a noted pest of orchards and ornamental trees (Burke 1929).

Chrysobothris mali, the Pacific flatheaded borer, is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America.