The sickle-shaped and upward curved ovipositor of the females is 8 to 10 mm long, while the males have two short cerci.

This species can be found in Europe from northern Spain up to Crimea, Caucasus and the Near East.

[1] On the Isle of Man the species is legally protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Act 1990, being found at only two coastal sites (Lonan and Glen Maye) at the extreme north of the species’ British Isles distribution.

It is mainly present in forest edges or clearings, but can be found also in wasteland, parks and gardens, at an elevation of about 0–2,100 metres (0–6,890 ft) above sea level.

The females lay their eggs in the soil, in dead branches, in bark crevices and rotting wood.