Xyleborus | |
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Xyleborus inurbanus (female) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Curculionidae |
Subfamily: | Scolytinae |
Tribe: | Xyleborini |
Genus: | Xyleborus Eichhoff, 1864 |
Species | |
About 535, see text | |
Synonyms | |
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Xyleborus is by far the largest ambrosia beetle genus in the tribe Xyleborini, with over 500 species.[1]
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.