During June and July of 2006, we investigated the role of vision and contact cues in the mating system of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, near Brighton, Michigan. Dead beetles of both sexes were pinned, washed in dichloromethane and dried (or simply dried without being washed) with their elytra in various positions mimicking natural behaviors. These ‘dummy’ beetles were pinned on the terminal leaflets of the compound leaves of ash trees, and elicited copulation attempts by wild male beetles. Male beetles flying near the tree will rapidly and accurately drop onto the back of a pinned beetle of either sex, and in two of the three positions used. However, male beetles clearly prefer pinned beetles mounted with their elytra closed. Copulation attempts often follow, sometimes lasting for many minutes, depending on the treatment of the pinned beetle. Further, sticky traps based on these pinned beetles do catch wild ash borers, primarily males, although sample size was very low.