Length 4 to 6 mm. The elytra are blackish with a covering of bronze-brown scales, but nearer to the pronotum there is an area where these scales are thinned out or absent so that the black beneath shows through.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, good photos are required that show the key ID features. Also state the beetle's size in the comments box.

Well wooded areas, hedgerows and even parks and gardens.

All year, but mainly seen from the end of April to late autumn.

Larvae feed on the roots of various herbaceous plants.

Widespread and always fairly frequent in Britain, although numbers can vary significantly from year to year.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.