bark beetle

American  

noun

1. any of numerous small, cylindrical beetles of the family Scolytidae that nest under the bark of hardwood trees, leaving intricate tracings on the wood.

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bark beetle British  

noun

1. any small beetle of the family Scolytidae , which bore tunnels in the bark and wood of trees, causing great damage. They are closely related to the weevils

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Etymology

Origin of bark beetle

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The bark beetle has been the scourge of Europe, killing millions of spruce trees, yet the government thought it could halt its spread to the UK by checking imported wood products at ports.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

About 348,000 acres of trees last year showed signs of bark beetle damage, according to the survey.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2024

Sierra Nevada: Devastating bouts of drought, drought-related bark beetle infestations and record-breaking wildfires have killed 30 percent of California’s Sierra Nevada forests, The Sacramento Bee reports.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2022

Flames chewed through parched grass, brush and woodland oak, advancing into timber stands littered with conifers killed by both drought and bark beetle infestations, to which drought-weakened trees are more susceptible, fire officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2022

Powerful sprayers direct a stream of poison to all parts of the tallest trees, killing directly not only the target organism, the bark beetle, but other insects, including pollinating species and predatory spiders and beetles.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson