Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) beetle

Photomacrograph of the head of an emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis fairmaire) beetle. These beetles have a flattened head with two short, serrate anntenae (angled segments which look like a saw; lower centre of image) and two large black compound eyes (for accurate perception of movement) on the sides of the head. They are metallic green in colour. The emerald ash borer is native to Asia and Eastern Russia but is now established in North America. This beetle is a pest that causes significant damamge to ash trees, which are an important source of commercial timber. Width of image is 8.5 mm.