beetle : Idioms & Phrases

• noun a beetle from China that has been found in the United States and is a threat to hardwood trees; lives inside the tree; no natural predators in the United States
  Anoplophora glabripennis.
  

WordNet

• noun introduced into United States from the Orient; larvae feed on roots of sugarcane and other grasses
  Anomala orientalis; Asiatic beetle.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi) injurious to asparagus.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a beetle (Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes.

Webster 1913

• noun small beetle that bores tunnels in the bark and wood of trees; related to weevils
  

WordNet

Bark" bee`tle

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A small beetle of many species (family Scolytidæ), which in the larval state bores under or in the bark of trees, often doing great damage.

Webster 1913

• noun introduced into the United States from Mexico; feeds on the foliage of the bean plant
  Epilachna varivestis; bean beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun European beetle; infests beehives
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a beetle (Trichodes apiarius) parasitic in beehives.

Webster 1913

Bee"tle brow`

Definitions

1. An overhanging brow.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), one of many species of mites, of the family Oribatidæ, parasitic on beetles.

Webster 1913

• verb leave suddenly and as if in a hurry
  bolt out; run out; bolt; run off.
  
  • The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
  • When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out

WordNet

• adjective satellite sullen or unfriendly in appearance
  scowling.
  

WordNet

Bee"tle-browed` adjective

Etymology

OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE. bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See Beetle an insect.

Definitions

1. Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or sullen. ✍ The earlier meaning was, "Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows."

Webster 1913

Bee"tle-head`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Dull; stupid. Shak.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the common large cockroach (Blatta orientalis).
• the common large black cockroach (Blatta orientalis).

Webster 1913

• noun a carpet beetle that is solid black in color
  

WordNet

• one of the insects apt to fly against people, esp. at night.

Webster 1913

• noun beetle that produces a secretion that blisters the skin
  meloid.
  

WordNet

• a beetle used to raise blisters, esp. the Lytta (or Cantharis) vesicatoria, called Cantharis or Spanish fly by druggists. See Cantharis.

Webster 1913

• noun beetle that ejects audibly a pungent vapor when disturbed
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a kind of beetle (Brachinus crepitans), so called because, when disturbed, it makes an explosive discharge of a pungent and acrid vapor from its anal glands. The name is applied to other related species, as the B. displosor, which can produce ten or twelve explosions successively. The common American species is B. fumans.

Webster 1913

• noun a small black and red and white carpet beetle
  Anthrenus scrophulariae.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the general name of many species of beetles, of the tribe Necrophaga; the sexton beetle; so called from their habit of burying small dead animals by digging away the earth beneath them. The larvæ feed upon decaying flesh, and are useful scavengers.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any beetle of the family Carambucidæ; one of the long-horned beetles. The larvæ usually bore into the wood or bark of trees and shurbs and are often destructive. See Girdler, Pruner.

Webster 1913

• noun predacious shining black or metallic terrestrial beetle that destroys many injurious insects
  carabid beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun small beetle whose larvae are household pests feeding on woolen fabrics
  carpet bug.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariæ), which, in the larval state, does great damage to carpets and other woolen goods; also called buffalo bug.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any beetle that feeds habitually on dead animals; also called sexton beetle and burying beetle. There are many kinds, belonging mostly to the family Silphidæ.

Webster 1913

• noun predacious on other insects; usually brightly colored or metallic
  clerid.
  

WordNet

• noun able to right itself when on its back by flipping into the air with a clicking sound
  skipjack; click beetle.
  

WordNet

Click" bee"tle

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) See Elater.

Webster 1913

• noun black-and-yellow beetle that feeds in adult and larval stages on potato leaves; originally of eastern Rocky Mountains; now worldwide
  potato bug; Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Colorado potato beetle; Colorado beetle.
  

WordNet

Col`o*ra"do bee"tle

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A yellowish beetle (Doryphora decemlineata), with ten longitudinal, black, dorsal stripes. It has migrated eastwards from its original habitat in Colorado, and is very destructive to the potato plant; -- called also potato beetle and potato bug. See Potato beetle.

Webster 1913

• noun black-and-yellow beetle that feeds in adult and larval stages on potato leaves; originally of eastern Rocky Mountains; now worldwide
  potato bug; Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Colorado potato beetle; Colorado beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun sluggish hard-bodied black terrestrial weevil whose larvae feed on e.g. decaying plant material or grain
  tenebrionid; darkling beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun sluggish hard-bodied black terrestrial weevil whose larvae feed on e.g. decaying plant material or grain
  tenebrionid; darkling beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun bores through wood making a ticking sound popularly thought to presage death
  deathwatch; Xestobium rufovillosum.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a large South American weevil (Entimus imperialis), remarkable for its splendid luster and colors, due to minute brilliant scales.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any beetle of the family Dytiscidæ, which habitually lives under water; called also water tiger.

Webster 1913

• noun any of numerous beetles that roll balls of dung on which they feed and in which they lay eggs
  

WordNet

• noun a vector of the fungus causing Dutch elm disease
  Scolytus multistriatus.
  

WordNet

• noun any of various widely distributed beetles
  elaterid; elater.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any very large beetle of the genus Goliathus (esp. G. giganteus), of the family Scarabæidæ. They inhabit West Africa.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), one of several species of beetles (esp. Galeruca calmariensis), which feed on the leaves of the elm.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a Japanese carabid beetle (Damaster blaptoides); so called from the form of the body.

Webster 1913

• noun tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots
  firefly; Pyrophorus noctiluca.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) See in the Vocabulary.

Webster 1913

• noun any small leaf beetle having enlarged hind legs and capable of jumping
  

WordNet

Flea"-bee`tle noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A small beetle of the family Halticidæ, of many species. They have strong posterior legs and leap like fleas. The turnip flea-beetle (Phyllotreta vittata) and that of the grapevine (Graptodera chalybea) are common injurious species.

Webster 1913

• noun an insect that infests flour and stored grains
  flour weevil.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any beetle which feeds upon flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the genus Meligethes, family Nitidulidæ, some of which are injurious to crops.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any small gold-colored beetle of the family Chrysomelidæ; called also golden beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a large, bright yellow, American beetle (Cotalpa lanigera), of the family Scarabæidæ

Webster 1913

Go*li"ath bee"tle

Etymology

From Goliath, the Philistine giant.

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any species of Goliathus, a genus of very large and handsome African beetles.

Webster 1913

• noun large greenish June beetle of southern United States
  figeater.
  

WordNet

• noun predacious shining black or metallic terrestrial beetle that destroys many injurious insects
  carabid beetle.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), one of numerous species of carnivorous beetles of the family Carabidæ, living mostly in burrows or under stones, etc.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennæ. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a leaf-eating beetle of the family Chrysomelidæ, having a short, broad, and flattened body. Many species are known.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of Dynastes, an American genus of very large lamellicorn beetles, esp. D. hercules of South America, which grows to a length of six inches.

Webster 1913

• noun small metallic green and brown beetle native to eastern Asia; serious plant pest in North America
  Popillia japonica.
  

WordNet

• noun any of various large usually brown North American leaf-eating beetles common in late spring; the larvae feed on roots of grasses etc.
  June beetle; May bug; June bug.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large brown beetles of the genus Lachnosterna and related genera; so called because they begin to fly, in the northern United States, about the first of June. The larvæ of the June beetles live under ground, and feed upon the roots of grasses and other plants. Called also May bug or May beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), an American leaf beetle (Chrysomela scalaris). The elytra are silvery white, striped and spotted with green; the under wings are rose-colored. It feeds upon the linden tree.

Webster 1913

• noun small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
  ladybug; ladybeetle; ladybird; lady beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
  ladybug; ladybeetle; ladybird; lady beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun beetle having antennae with hard platelike terminal segments
  

WordNet

• noun brightly colored beetle that feeds on plant leaves; larvae infest roots and stems
  chrysomelid.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any beetle which feeds upon leaves; esp., any species of the family Chrysomelidæ, as the potato beetle and helmet beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a longicorn beetle (Cyllene robiniæ), which, in the larval state, bores holes in the wood of the locust tree. Its color is brownish black, barred with yellow. Called also locust borer.

Webster 1913

• noun long-bodied beetle having very long antennae
  longicorn; long-horned beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun long-bodied beetle having very long antennae
  longicorn; long-horned beetle.
  

WordNet

• noun any of various large European beetles destructive to vegetation as both larvae and adult
  Melolontha melolontha; May bug; cockchafer.
  
• noun any of various large usually brown North American leaf-eating beetles common in late spring; the larvae feed on roots of grasses etc.
  June beetle; May bug; June bug.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of large lamellicorn beetles that appear in the winged state in May. They belong to Melolontha, and allied genera. Called also June beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the adult of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various beetles of the family (or subfamily) Melolonthidae
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small leaf beetle (Diabrotiea vittata), which damages the leaves of melon vines.

Webster 1913

• noun introduced into the United States from Mexico; feeds on the foliage of the bean plant
  Epilachna varivestis; bean beetle.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a beetle that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of Hister and allied genera.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) See Anthrenus.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a European longicorn beetle (Aromia moschata), having an agreeable odor resembling that of attar of roses.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various beetles that exude an oily substance from the leg joints that deters enemies
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any beetle of the genus Meloe and allied genera. When disturbed they emit from the joints of the legs a yellowish oily liquor. Some species possess vesicating properties, and are used instead of cantharides.

Webster 1913

• noun introduced into United States from the Orient; larvae feed on roots of sugarcane and other grasses
  Anomala orientalis; Asiatic beetle.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any small beetle of the genus Byrrhus, having a rounded body, with the head concealed beneath the thorax.

Webster 1913

• noun black-and-yellow beetle that feeds in adult and larval stages on potato leaves; originally of eastern Rocky Mountains; now worldwide
  potato bug; Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Colorado potato beetle; Colorado beetle.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various large chiefly tropical beetles having horns on the head; pest on coconuts
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a very large beetle of the genus Dynastes, having a horn on the head.

Webster 1913

• noun a common metallic green European beetle: larvae feed on plant roots and adults on leaves and flowers of e.g. roses
  Cetonia aurata; rose chafer.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) (a) A small yellowish or buff longlegged beetle (Macrodactylus subspinosus), which eats the leaves of various plants, and is often very injurious to rosebushes, apple trees, grapevines, etc. Called also rose bug, and rose chafer. (b) The European chafer.

Webster 1913

• noun active beetle typically having predatory or scavenging habits
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of beetles of the family Staphylinidæ, having short elytra beneath which the wings are folded transversely. They are rapid runners, and seldom fly.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.) See Scarab.

Webster 1913

• noun any of several beetles whose larvae bore holes in dead or dying trees especially conifers
  sawyer.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the tiger beetle.

Webster 1913

• noun any of numerous species of stout-bodied beetles having heads with horny spikes
  scarabaeid; scarabaean.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any beetle which feeds on decaying substances, as the carrion beetle.

Webster 1913

• noun large metallic blue-green beetle that preys on caterpillars; found in North America
  searcher; Calosoma scrutator.
  

WordNet

• noun a small beetle that infests the seeds of legumes
  seed weevil.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a burying beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any beetle of the family Elateridæ, which, when laid on its back, is able to leap to a considerable height by means of a thoracic spring; called also snapping beetle.

Webster 1913

• noun able to right itself when on its back by flipping into the air with a clicking sound
  skipjack; click beetle.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) See Snap beetle, under Snap.

Webster 1913

• noun small weevil having a prolonged snout; destructive to e.g. grains and nuts
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of many species of beetles having an elongated snout and belonging to the tribe Rhynchophora; a weevil.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), an American carabid beetle (Chauliognathus Americanus) whose larva feeds upon other insects, such as the plum curculio.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a snapping beetle; an elater.

Webster 1913

• noun small beetle that likes to bore through the bark of spruce trees and eat the cambium which eventually kills the tree
  Dendroctonus rufipennis.
  
  • the spruce bark beetle is the major tree-killing insect pest of Alaska spruce forests

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small American beetle (Diabrotica, ∨ Galeruca vittata) which is often abundant and very injurious to the leaves of squash, cucumber, etc. It is striped with yellow and black. The name is applied also to other allied species.

Webster 1913

• noun a kind of lamellicorn beetle; the male has branched mandibles resembling antlers
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles belonging to Lucanus and allied genera, especially L. cervus of Europe and L. dama of the United States. The mandibles are large and branched, or forked, whence the name. The lava feeds on the rotten wood of dead trees. Called also horned bug, and horse beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any small lustrous beetle of the genus Amara.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a long-horned beetle (Arhopalus fulminans) whose larva bores in the trunk of oak and chestnut trees. It is brownish and bluish-black, with W-shaped whitish or silvery markings on the elytra.

Webster 1913

• noun active usually bright-colored beetle that preys on other insects
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of active carnivorous beetles of the family Cicindelidæ. They usually inhabit dry or sandy places, and fly rapidly.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of beetles the larvæ of which bore in timber; as, the silky timber beetle (Lymexylon sericeum).

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a brilliant metallic luster. the larvæ feed upon the leaves of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a mass of dried excrement held over the back by means of the caudal spines. The golden tortoise beetle (Cassida aurichalcea) is found on the morning-glory vine and allied plants.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.) any one of numerous species of beetles which feed on the leaves of trees and shrubs, as the May beetles, the rose beetle, the rose chafer, and the goldsmith beetle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of several species of beetles which are injurious to the leaves or branches of the grapevine. Among the more important species are the grapevine fidia (see Fidia), the spotted Pelidnota (see Rutilian), the vine fleabeetle (Graptodera chalybea), the rose beetle (see under Rose), the vine weevil, and several species of Colaspis and Anomala.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the European dor.

Webster 1913

• noun any of numerous aquatic beetles usually having a smooth oval body and flattened hind legs for swimming
  

WordNet

Wa"ter bee"tle

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of aquatic beetles belonging to Dytiscus and allied genera of the family Dytiscidæ, and to various genera of the family Hydrophilidæ. These beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting together like oars.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) (a) A small, slender, rusty brown beetle (Sylvanus Surinamensis) whose larvæ feed upon wheat, rice, and other grains. (b) A very small, reddish brown, oval beetle (Anobium paniceum) whose larvæ eat the interior of grains of wheat.

Webster 1913

• noun aquatic beetle that circles rapidly on the water surface
  

WordNet