Length about 4 or 5 mm. A shiny metallic bronze beetle sometimes with violet or blue overtones. The elytra have prominent depressions. This species has very prominent eyes. Antennal segments 6-10 yellow/brown, c.f. segments 6-10 blackish/brown in Asaphidion flavipes. 

Woodlands and gardens, often in leaf litter. It prefers moist and heavy soils.

All year round, but particularly March to August.

Widely distributed in England and Wales, in the west many records are coastal and in the northeast, above York, there are no records.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were approximately 40 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.