This is a large flightless species of beetle. The rounded body is blackish in colour, often with a shiny iridescence.

Often found in hedgerows.

Adults are seen between April and June. Active mainly at night, hiding in moss or under stones during the day.

It earns its common name from its peculiar form of defence; when threatened it exudes a drop of bright red fluid from the mouth. The larvae are a metallic bluish colour.

It is widespread in Britain and common in some areas, but becomes rare in the north.

Occasional and rather local in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 22 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.