The body is cylindrical and the elytra and thorax have distinct rows of pits and grooves.

[6] With the exception of southwestern Spain and Portugal and northern Scandinavia, the species occurs throughout the European continent and the British Isles to western Siberia.

Like all beetles, these insects go through complete metamorphosis, starting as a larva, which is soft and white going through several instars before becoming a pupa and then reaching maturity, emerging in Spring or Summer.

The range of proven food plants includes oak, beech, birch, alder, hornbeam, aspen, willow, linden, maple, horse chestnut, ash, rowan, apple, cherries, pears, plums and firs.

In addition, the species is often associated with the flat lacquer polypore (Ganoderma applanatum), the tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) and the oak fire agaric (Fomitiporia robusta).