New Fancy European Jewel Beetle Discovered In Green-Wood Cemetery

WINDSOR TERRACE, BROOKLYN — There's a hot new jewel beetle in town.

Scientists have discovered a brand new species of jewel beetle living it up in the beech trees of Green-Wood Cemetery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced Tuesday.

Agency foresters, who were surveying Green-Wood Cemetery's collection of "rare and non-native trees and shrubs" when they found a species of beetle that is "new to science."

The jewel beetle hasn't yet been given a formal name — it's being called Agrilus sp. 9895 for now — and is probably European, according to a DNA analysis

Scientists who note it's more common to find new species in unexplored tropical areas.

“It’s very surprising to discover a new species in New York City," said Forest Health Technician Marc DiGirolomo.

So apparently pizza rat isn't its own species.

While the beetles do appear to be nibbling on the outer twigs, they don't seem to be actually killing the European beeches, one of 723 tree species found among Green-Wood's 7,000 trees.

“We are proud of our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service," said Joseph Charap, Green-Wood Cemetery’s director of horticulture.

"We hope that the discovery of this new species of Agrilus will help protect the urban forest."

Patch readers are welcome to suggest names for fancy European jewel beetles in the comment section below.