It can be distinguished from similar species by a combination of morphological characters on the pronotum, elytra and the male aedeagus.

However, C. piceae has been confused with other similar species like Cryphalus numidicus which is known to occur in North Africa and Asia, therefore, those records need confirmation.

[5] In the beginning of spring, the adults emerge from hibernation, aggregate, mate and each pair constructs a nuptial chamber under the bark of a host tree.

Females lay 5–26 eggs and the emerging larvae construct galleries radiating from the nuptial chamber, where they develop and pupate.

[4][2][1] In addition to direct damage by the bark beetle, C. piceae can be associated with various plant pathogenic fungi and may transmit some of these.