Larvae of the weevil burrow underneath the bark of the wattle tree, causing significant amounts of feeding damage. Tunneling their way in circular patterns around the stem, resinous oozing can be seen on the outer parts of the trees all along the internal pathways they create whilst feeding. Removal of the bark reveals the galleries of the larvae in the sapwood and sometimes a single flatheaded larvae is present within the gallery.
The genus Agrilus is the largest insect genus known with the most described species. Although many species can be difficult to distinguish, Agrilus grandis is the largest, its size alone making it distinct among other species from the genus.
Buprestid weevils are some of the most environmentally damaging pests globally. However, despite their importance, very little is known regarding the origin, introductory pathways, and hosts of many species. The larvae are called flatheaded borers and the adults are known as jewel beetles due to their glossy iridescent colors. Most Buprestid species attack stressed or dead trees, but some attack apparently healthy trees.
Widely distributed throughout Africa, Agrilus grandis is native to South Africa. The natural host range of this beetle are species of Albizia, but it has previously been detected infesting black wattle although not to the extent observed recently. Adult weevils deposit their eggs on bark cracks and crevices and the larvae tunnel in the phloem and outer sapwood.
