It has been recorded in mainland India, the Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Réunion and Seychelles.

[4] Varies in colour from brownish black to reddish brown, faintly covered with tawny pubescence.

Prothorax very densely covered with strong coarse punctures; the disc with five slightly raised tubercles, less distinct in the male, placed two anteriorly, one behind the middle, and two near the base; the sides broadly and obtusely protuberant except near the base, in the female; straighter and marked each with a large tomentose depression, extending along the greater part of its length, in the male.

Elytra coarsely and very densely punctured; each with two tolerably distinct dorsal and one or two short lateral costae, the latter sometimes obsolete; a short sutural tooth at apex.Stromatium barbatum is extremely polyphagous; the list of recorded host plants exceeds 300.

It prefers seasoned timbers, and is commonly found in household furniture, rafters, door and window frames, and other wooden structures.