Any of several beetles causing pear blight, especially the bark beetles Xyleborus dispar (also called shot-hole borer) and X. pyri (family Scolytidae).
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Ebenezer Emmons (1799–1863).
Definition of pear blight beetle in US English:
pear blight beetle
noun
Any of several beetles causing pear blight, especially the bark beetles Xyleborus dispar (also called shot-hole borer) and X. pyri (family Scolytidae).
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Ebenezer Emmons (1799–1863).