This is a widespread species occurring throughout the Palaearctic from Spain to Greece and the Mediterranean islands.  Further north it occurs throughout Belgium and southern Scandinavia. The distribution extends south through Asia Minor to Syria and northern Iran. Further east through the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and across south, central and eastern Russia. This is one of the most common European Longhorns. We have so far been unable to find any records from Ireland or the Americas.  In the U.K. it occurs commonly throughout England and Wales including the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and Man. There are only a few records scattered across Scotland north to Inverness but not including the islands. Locally it is usually abundant although we have experienced years of particular abundance as well as a virtual absence. They occur in wooded habitats, generally around fallen branches and logs, but the adults fly readily and may be seen visiting flowers far from any obviously suitable habitat. They visit urban gardens and are sometimes seen in the town centre. Umbels (Apiacaea) and dog rose are among the most frequently visited.  Adults feed on pollen and occasionally small insects, this may be particularly so for the female to provide protein for egg production. Adults may appear as early as March, depending on the season, and arte active until July or August. They mimic wasps both in their appearance and their rapid, jerky movements, and they are said to produce a buzzing sound when threatened although we have so far been unable to elicit this response.

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The usual hosts include a wide range of broadleaf species including Acer, Betula, Castanea, Crataegus, Fagus, Pyrus, Tilia, Salix and Ulmus. They have also been recorded developing in Juniperus and Picea abies. Eggs are laid in crevices in the bark of recently fallen or dead trees, fallen branches of posts etc. The larvae initially live under the bark but when about half grown they tunnel into the xylem. When fully grown they construct a pupal cell, parallel to the wood grain, around 3-5cm long at the end of the tunnel. Pupation occurs either during September or October or in the spring of the following year. The entire life cycle generally takes two years but adults have been known to emerge from furniture after several years.