Length up to 12mm with females being larger than males. This Reed Beetle has coppery elytra, with a metallic reddish or bluish central area, though the female is less colourful.

Donacia semicuprea is similar but the pronotum has a central longitudinal groove.

Around water plants such as Bulrush and Bur-reed, often low down near to the water.

May to August

The larvae are aquatic.

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 12 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.