Larvae of Oplosia cinerea were recorded from a variety of deciduos trees. In Central Europe, however, the species prefers lime (Tilia). Oplosia cinerea develops in old decaying and very moist branches of dead hosts, and usually in the ones lying on the ground. The larvae feed subcortically and partially in the bark. Later they create a shallow pupal cell in the moist substrate and secure themselves there with a wad of fibrous frass resembling that of Saperda sprcies.