Dendroctonus

noun

Den·​droc·​to·​nus
-ˈdräktənəs
: a genus of small bark beetles that are especially destructive to mature coniferous trees and that have a large prothorax, short clubbed elbowed antennae, serrated tibiae, and spiny elytra

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from dendr- + Greek ktonos murder; from their destructiveness

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Dictionary Entries Near Dendroctonus

Cite this Entry

“Dendroctonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dendroctonus. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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