A distinctive species being 6 to 7mm long with a black pronotum, and having the base of tibiae and mandibles red. The pronotum is deeply notched at the hind angles and coarsely punctate throughout. Each elytron has three slightly raised lines.

Wet areas, fens and reedbeds.

Mid June to the end of July.

Quite a rare insect mostly recorded from southern England and Wales and currently classed as Nationally Scarce b.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The specimen from St Marys Mill, Leicester 12/07/2012 is believed to be the first VC55 record.