12 to 19 mm. A short-oval and very convex species, the dorsal surface is black with a distinct metallic blue reflection and the ventral surface is bright metallic blue.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Most frequent in damp, deciduous and mixed woodlands.

March to autumn with peaks of activity in late spring and late summer. Adults fly around twilight and may be seen flying low over dung pasture, moorland or around woodland.

Adults appear early in the year after overwintering in their brood burrows, they feed and mate in the spring and females burrow to a depth of 30cm, depending on soil type, beneath herbivore dung and oviposit within dung pellets placed in brood chambers. 

Widespread throughout most of the UK, and particularly well recorded in the north and west of Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.