Black Hills beetle

noun

: a bark beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) of the Rocky mountain area that feeds chiefly on mature ponderosa pine destroying the cambium and causing the death of great numbers of valuable timber trees

Word History

Etymology

from Black Hills, mountains in South Dakota and Wyoming

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Black Hills beetle

Cite this Entry

“Black Hills beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Black%20Hills%20beetle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!