Length 7-8mm. This elongated rove beetle has a black head and abdomen, dark brown elytra and a dark red to black pronotum with a metalic sheen. The legs, palps and antennae are yellow to red. It has particularly strong microsculpture on the pronotum.

The species Xantholinus longiventris and Xantholinus linearis can only be separated by microscopic examination but the strong microsculpture on the pronotum distinguishes X. linearis.

Mainly in dry, open habitats.

All year but peaking in spring and summer.

Common and widespread in Britain. Possibly the most frequently encountered rove beetle.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 229 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.