Xyleborus (beetle)
| Xyleborus | |
|---|---|
| Xyleborus inurbanus (female) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Curculionidae |
| Subfamily: | Scolytinae |
| Tribe: | Xyleborini |
| Genus: | Xyleborus Eichhoff, 1864 |
| Species | |
|
About 535, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Xyleborus is by far the largest ambrosia beetle genus in the tribe Xyleborini, with over 500 species.
Xyleborus nowadays includes a number of formerly independent genera. In addition, the genera Coptoborus, Cryptoxyleborus and Euwallacea are often included here, too; this may be correct, as they seem to be closely related. Less often, Ambrosiodmus, Premnobius and Xyleborinus are included in Xyleborus, but they seem to be well distinct; Premnobius might even not belong to the Xyleborini at all.
The different species can be best differentiated by the gallery burrows they build and the tree species they infest. A significant member, X. dispar, causes pear blight.