A large longhorn beetle reaching about 25 mm in length and occasionally bigger. It is a uniform mahogany brown in colour

Very similar to Arhopalus ferus but separated by the third tarsal segment which is deeply divided in A. rusticus but only less than half divided in A. ferus.

It favours conifers, mainly Scots Pine and Norway Spruce.

It is largely nocturnal and often hides under bark by day, but is most often seen when attracted to light after dark.

The larvae live in both standing and fallen trunks/stumps of conifers and take up to 2 years to become fully grown.

Originally a Scottish species, this beetle has spread widely with the widespread use of conifer plantations across England in recent years.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were only 4 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.