[1] It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

[2] Adult beetles are 11–20 mm long, black with four more or less continuous transverse yellow bands.

The species is distributed in northern and central regions of Europe and Asia.

It is particularly common in Scandinavia, Finland and Great Britain and is typically seen during the summer months.

Larvae make meandering galleries in various trees, including oak, beech, birch, willow, alder, elder and spruce; typically in dead and decaying trees, with a preference for damp areas.