The cowboy beetle grows to 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long with females generally slightly larger than males.

It has a yellow-brown colouration and when in flight produce a loud buzzing noise which creates the illusion of a large wasp.

Adults feed on nectar while larvae live in rotten wood.

[1] They live in woodlands, dry sclerophyll forests and residential gardens.

Once hatched, the larvae feed on the rotting timber until ready to pupate.