noun
pine bark beetle; insect harmful to pine trees
Broad term for beetles (especially bark beetles) that bore into and damage pine trees. Often refers to the Japanese pine sawyer (Monochamus alternatus) or similar pests.
松食い虫の被害で、山の松がたくさん枯れた。
Many pine trees on the mountain died due to damage from pine bark beetles.
Standard kanji spelling for pine bark beetles and similar pests.
Variant using 喰 (eat) instead of 食; less common but seen.
Abbreviated spelling without okurigana; sometimes used in technical contexts.
Katakana spelling often used in scientific or field-guide contexts.
Compound of 松 (matsu, 'pine') + 食い (kui, 'eating', from 食う) + 虫 (mushi, 'insect'). Literally 'pine-eating insect'.