Family: Buprestidae
Subfamily: Agrilinae
Length: 4.0-4.5 mm
The larvae of Brachys aerosus mine in oak leaves, feeding in the area between the leaf's upper and lower surfaces. Adults may be found on the leaves of Oak and other hardwoods.
When Brachys aerosus pulls in its legs and antennae, as the one in the photo is doing, it looks more like a seed husk than a beetle.
Three species of Brachys have been reported from West Virginia, and maps covering records of all three are provided below.
Insects of West Virginia
