About us

The purpose of this site is to aggregate knowledge on the classification, biology and images of Xyleborini beetles. Xyleborini are the world's most common and ecologically successful ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). They are all haplo-diploid and inbred fungus farmers, and a hugely diverse form of life.

We are the global community of researchers on scolytine taxonomy, ecology, and biogeography. We are building this information resource mostly because we appreciate the qualities of these beetles, but also as a response to the recent surge of global interest in ambrosia beetles. In the past several decades, human commerce and shipping aided the spread of many ambrosia beetle species to regions where they don't belong, which caused some of the worst invasions, forest health issues, and tree diseases of our time. We hope that by sharing the information on the diversity and ecology of ambrosia beetles, we will not only help the global audience understand what these beetles are and where they are coming from, but also that the vast majority of them are not pests, but a mysterious life form that is worth being studied and admired.

If you would like to join our effort and contribute information or images of Xyleborini, please send an email to the administrator: hulcr@ufl.edu.

Wed, 2012-09-05 18:13 -- hulcr
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Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith