Bupestrid beetles
The predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which some call the smoky-winged beetle bandit, collects adults in the Buprestidae family (metallic wood-boring or jewel beetles) to feed to its young. Among such beetles is the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis); researchers monitor C. fumipennis nesting sites for emerald ash borer among its prey to detect presence of the invasive beetle nearby. Shown here are an assortment of beetles collected one day at a nesting site. Top row, left to right: Actenodes acornis, Actenodes simi, Phaenops fulvoguttatus. Bottom row: all Agrilus obsoletoguttatus. (Photo by Claire Rutledge, Ph.D.)