elm bark beetle

noun

: either of two beetles (family Scolytidae) that are vectors for the fungus causing Dutch elm disease:

: one (Hylurgopinus rufipes) native to eastern North America

: one (Scolytus multistriatus) introduced from Europe into eastern North America

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The elm bark beetle had arrived from the sea, carried in the hull of a ship. —

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2022 Hundreds of thousands of elms are being taken out by Dutch elm disease, spread by the voracious elm bark beetle. —

Zoya Teirstein, Wired, 14 Aug. 2021 In the early 20th century, Dutch elm disease, a fungus from Asia that is spread by elm bark beetles, killed 75 percent of native elms. —

Claire Marie Porter, WIRED, 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elm bark beetle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of elm bark beetle was circa 1909

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Elm bark beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elm%20bark%20beetle. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.

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