Length 4.5 to 5mm. Pale red brown with the elytra darker towards the apex. Legs and antennae are all pale. The pronotum sides are sinuate with obtuse but sharp hind corners. The side borders on the pronotum extend onto the hind margin which is sharply angled forward on both sides.

Bradycellus sharpi is very similar and also common and widespread. This species is a darker red-brown, the side borders on the pronotum barely extend onto the base which is only slightly angled forwards on each side.

In open, usually well-drained habitats such as arable fields and waste ground.

All year

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 39 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.