bark beetle

plural bark beetles

1. Any of various beetles, of the subfamily Scolytinae, many of which reproduce in the inner bark of trees.

   Naval stores production is based upon exploiting the terpene chemical defense system of the pine tree, which protects against wood-decaying fungi and insect pests such as bark beetles (Dendroctonus Ips sp.).

   2007, Shibu Jose, Eric J. Jokela, Deborah L. Miller, editors, The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Silviculture, and Restoration, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 43