This species is perhaps the easiest to identify of any in the genus. It has fine yellow specks irregularly scattered over the elytra. No other species have these. The yellow flecks may be widely separated to almost confluent. The head and pronotum are usually a solid metallic green. The background color of the elytra is brilliant green through coppery brown and occasionally blue. The beetles range in length from 2/5 to 4/5 inches long with the females slightly longer.
Adults feed on foliage of injured, dead, and dying trees. Larvae bore in the wood of aspen and cottonwood. Its occurrence in Fontenelle Forest is unknown
Larvae are called flatheaded borers for their pancake-like thoracic section. Meandering etchings in wood, just under the bark, packed with powdery excrement are the work of the larvae.
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