1. the approved common name of the flatheaded borer (Buprestis apricans) that lays its eggs on the dried or burnt-out faces of resin-tapped trees into which the larvae tunnel —note turpentine beetles were a serious pest in the production of naval stores but are now minor pests associated with fire scars and mechanical wounds 2. some Dendroctonus beetles, particularly the red turpentine beetle and the black turpentine beetle (D. valens and D. terebrans, respectively), are pests of pines and characterized by production of large pitch tubes —note Dendroctonus beetles prefer stumps and severely weakened trees, are often secondary to primary bark beetles, but can attack healthy trees when population levels are high —synonym turpentine borer This definition last updated 10/10/2008