188 MISC. PUBLICATION 273. U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



the only western representative of this genus. The adults are over 

 1 inch long and dark brown to black, with an iridescent bronze 

 luster, especially on the under side. The upper surface is marked 

 with irregularly sculptured areas. Many a woodsman has been 

 startled on a warm summer day to have one of these large beetles 

 suddenly take flight with the noise of a small airplane from its 

 quiet resting place on a nearby tree trunk. The larvae feed in the 

 wood of dead pines, firs, and Douglas-fir throughout the Western 

 States. 







k 



i 



1 



E^ 







— -^ 





— \^u 



9r 



M 









Figure 87. — Adult flatheaded wood borers of the genus Buprestis: A, langi; 

 B, aurulenta; C, rustieorum; D, subornata; E, connexa; F, adjecta; G, 

 confluenta; H, nuttalli laeviventris; I, nuttaW. All X 1.5. 



The golden buprestid (Buprestis aurulenta L.) (fig. 87,5) is one 

 of the most destructive species in this group. The adults are beau- 

 tifully colored beetles y 2 to 3 4 inch long, with a flattened oval 

 body and an iridescent green or bluish color, with all margins 

 bordered with copper. They are particularly attracted to pitchy 

 wood and lay their eggs on fire scars or the exposed pitchy wood of 

 pines, spruces, firs, Douglas-fir, and other conifers. Flooring and 

 woodwork of Douglas-fir that is not heavilv covered with paint or 



