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 spruce bark beetle, or Ips typographus, has been munching its way through the conifer trees of Europe for decades, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

The trees have suffered at least a 70% increase in mortality over the last decade due to severe drought and bark beetle infestations.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2023

The Pacific Northwest has suffered far bigger diebacks than this but almost exclusively at the hands of an aggressive bark beetle infestation, a fatal disease or deadly fungal infection.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 30, 2022

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

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