Size 4.5 to 5.5 mm, the females are slightly larger than the males. The elytra vary from pale straw colour to a deeper brown, the head is blacker.

Melinopterus sphacelatus is very similar to M. prodromus and both can be found together in dung. M. sphacelatus can be distinguished by the suture line that runs across the top of its head and by the 8th elytral stria which reaches level with the base of the scutellum. M. prodromus lacks the suture line and the 8th elytral stria ends well before the base of the scutellum.

In dung of herbivores, especially cow dung, but also in decaying vegetable matter and fungi.

Spring to autumn, but perhaps most abundant in spring.

Associated with dung.

Widespread in southern Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 48 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.