Large Elm Bark Beetle
Scolytus scolytus
Scolytus scolytus, the larger European elm bark beetle or large elm bark beetle, is a 3.5–6 mm long bark beetle species.
26
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scolytus_scolytus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Curculionidae
Genus
Scolytus
Large Elm Bark Beetle belongs to the family Curculionidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Scolytus scolytus, the larger European elm bark beetle or large elm bark beetle, is a 3.5–6 mm long bark beetle species. It is of significant importance in Eurasia as a vector of Dutch elm disease.
The Large Elm Bark Beetle faces severe population declines primarily due to the widespread loss of its host elm trees from Dutch elm disease, which has devastated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and the removal of dead and dying elm trees for disease control have further reduced available breeding sites for this specialized bark beetle.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species has been reported from throughout Europe and western Asia. In Russia, approximately as far east as Irkutsk Oblast and as far north as the southern boundary of the taiga zone. In Asia, it has also been reported from Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, northern Iran, and northern India (Jammu and Kashmir). In Africa, it has been reported from Morocco and Algeria.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Large Elm Bark Beetle faces severe population declines primarily due to the widespread loss of its host elm trees from Dutch elm disease, which has devastated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and the removal of dead and dying elm trees for disease control have further reduced available breeding sites for this specialized bark beetle.
Dutch elm disease eliminating host trees
Removal of dead/dying elm trees for disease management
Climate change affecting elm tree distribution
Pesticide use in urban and agricultural areas
Urban development and habitat fragmentation
Found in 26 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Large Elm Bark Beetle (Scolytus scolytus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/large-elm-bark-beetle