How do ambrosia beetles primarily damage wood?

Ambrosia beetles primarily damage wood by staining it and boring inside. These beetles cultivate fungi within the wood, which they feed on, and this process can lead to significant staining of the wood. The fungus introduced by the beetles creates dark streaks, which can degrade the appearance and value of the wood. As they tunnel into the wood to create galleries for their larvae, they do not consume the wood entirely but rather utilize it in a way that promotes the growth of their fungal food source. This combination of boring and fungal staining is what distinguishes the ambrosia beetle's method of wood damage. The emphasis on fungal relationships is essential in understanding their ecological role and the specific type of damage they cause compared to other wood-boring insects that may consume or tunnel through the wood without the same damaging effects.