The spotted longhorn is a large, well-marked beetle, widespread in most of Europe. It lives along forest edges and in clearings, hedgerows, parks, and gardens, from the lowlands to the mountains.
The spotted longhorn has a variable pattern of black and yellow markings, a rough imitation of a wasp. This probably gives them some protection from birds.
The spotted longhorn is relatively thin. Adults have a body length of up to 20 millimeters. The head and the pronotum are black, the elytra are yellow with black marks. The antennae are ringed black and yellow and can reach one half of the body size.