ambrosia beetle

American  

noun

1. bark beetle.

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ambrosia beetle British  

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)

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Etymology

Origin of ambrosia beetle

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

Example Sentences

As scary as their numbers may be, these strange bugs aren’t damaging to the Everglades’ natural balance as nonnative species like the tiny Redbay ambrosia beetle is.

From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2019

There’s no telling what cargo brought this species, called Xyleborus glabratus or the redbay ambrosia beetle, to the port of Savannah.

From Washington Times • Jul. 8, 2017

Others include a species of platypodid ambrosia beetle, several lines of synalpheid sponge-dwelling shrimp, as well as two species of bathyergid mole rats.

From Scientific American • Jul. 9, 2012

The study illustrates that ambrosia beetle colonies are similar to other insect societies, like those of wasps, bees and ants, which have long been known to divvy up chores.

From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2011

An example of the latter was found in a valuable lot of mahogany lumber of first grade, the value of which was reduced two thirds by injury from a native ambrosia beetle.

From Seasoning of Wood by Wagner, J. B. (Joseph Bernard)