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

“It seemed to leaf out pretty well, then it browned out kind of early. It is consistent with the Ambrosia beetle putting the nail in the coffin.”

From Washington Post

On the West Coast, the disease sudden oak death is a problem, and, in the South, the ambrosia beetle is a serious pest.

From Washington Post

Laurel wilt is transmitted by the wood-boring redbay ambrosia beetle and can affect a range of plants, including sassafras and spicebush.

From Washington Times

Laurel wilt is a fungal disease transmitted by the wood-boring redbay ambrosia beetle.

From Washington Times

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