Golden Buprestid

Description:

A wood boring beetle than can damage trees and homes, the buprestid is a living jewel. Damage to homes can be prevented by painting or varnishing siding as they do not like to lay eggs on a smooth surface. It has a reportedly long lifespan/cycle of up to 40 years in times of environmental stress, which probably accounts for how few are spotted. Average life cycle is 2-4 years

Habitat:

garden in a forest clearing

Notes:

For my part, it's hard to believe that the pacific NW has such a living jewel. One of my other favs is the alder beetle, another borer.