Elm (?), n. [AS. elm; akin to D.
olm, OHG. elm, G. ulme, Icel. almr, Dan.
& Sw. alm, L. ulmus, and E. alder. Cf.
Old.] (Bot.) A tree of the genus Ulmus, of
several species, much used as a shade tree, particularly in America.
The English elm is Ulmus campestris; the common American or
white elm is U. Americana; the slippery or red elm, U.
fulva.
Elm beetle (Zoöl.), one of
several species of beetles (esp. Galeruca calmariensis), which
feed on the leaves of the elm. -- Elm borer
(Zoöl.), one of several species of beetles of which
the larvæ bore into the wood or under the bark of the elm (esp.
Saperda tridentata). -- Elm butterfly
(Zoöl.), one of several species of butterflies,
which, in the caterpillar state, feed on the leaves of the elm (esp.
Vanessa antiopa and Grapta comma). See Comma
butterfly, under Comma. -- Elm moth
(Zoöl.), one of numerous species of moths of which
the larvæ destroy the leaves of the elm (esp. Eugonia
subsignaria, called elm spanworm). -- Elm
sawfly (Zoöl.), a large sawfly (Cimbex
Americana). The larva, which is white with a black dorsal stripe,
feeds on the leaves of the elm.