It is easily recognisable with its bright yellow and red bands on greenish-blue elytra.

The elytra are lined with rows of fine pits along their length giving them a furrowed appearance.

"Lumholtz (1889: p. 197, 1980: p. 239) briefly noted that he collected adults of this species [cited as Stigmodera alternata] amongst grass (?)

near the Herbert River, northern Queensland near the end of December 1882; it is obvious that Lumholtz must have collected dead or dying beetles since these buprestids do not inhabit nor feed on grasses.

Later Brooks (1969) recorded this species [as Castiarina alternata Lumh.]