ambrosia beetle

noun

1. bark beetle.

ambrosia beetle

noun

1. any of various small beetles of the genera Anisandrus, Xyleborus, etc, that bore tunnels into solid wood, feeding on fungi growing in the tunnels: family Scolytidae (bark beetles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambrosia beetle¹

1895–1900; ambrosia in reference to the beetles' food, a coating formed by a fungus which they cultivate

Example Sentences

For example, Smith and Cognato moved some ambrosia beetle species into the genus Coptoborus.

From Science News For Students

You may not be familiar with the scientific names of ambrosia beetles.

From Science News For Students