5.5 to 7mm. Black head and pronotum (non-metallic) and black or dark brown elytra. Antenna black, first segment may be lighter. Legs brown but with almost black femora. Side borders on pronotum uniformly narrow. First two antennal segments glabrous but third at least partly pubescent. Wings usually absent.

Your specimen should have these features:

• 5.5-7mm
• black (elytra may be dark brown)
• antennae black but 1st segment often paler
• first two antennal segments glabrous, third partly pubescent
• legs brown with darker femora
• pronotal border uniformly narrow
• wingless (rarely with wings)

Wetter areas. Well vegetated water margins and marshes.

Can be found in all months of the year but especially in March and April.

Predatory.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were approximately 359 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.