The common name relates to the habit of the larva of taking trapped insects from spider webs. The adult beetle is dark brown in colour and rarely seen in its natural habitat, so this beetle is more commonly recorded as a larva.

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The preferred habitat is beneath old, thick bark.

All year round.

The larva of Ctesias serra lives in crevices and under the bark of ancient trees, feeding on the left-over meals of spiders. The hairs are part of its defence mechanism against attack by spiders - thrusting them forward when threatened.

Widespread, particularly in the southern half of Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.