Cryphalus abietis is a small bark beetle (subfamily Scolytinae, family Curculionidae), around 1.6 mm long, that is widely distributed in Europe.

[4] For example, Justesen et al. provided detailed descriptions of C. abietis and its biology under the name "Cryphalus asperatus (Gyllenhal, 1813), syn.

C. abietis has been reported from nearly all European countries, but is absent from the most northern region of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

The pronotum is domed, covered with tiny humps (also called 'asperities') on its anterior slope bordering the head.

[5] Morphologically, C. abietis is very similar to Cryphalus saltuarius, both species may overlap in some features and can be confused.

The developing larvae construct closely spaced galleries that radiate from this chamber and are 2–4 cm long.