A small (6 to 8.5 mm) brassy-brown or bronze-black ground beetle, this species has cup like depressions (foveate punctures) on the wing cases with conspicuous long bristles (setae) at the bases to its antennae as well as bristles on the underside of its head. It is the only ground beetle with these long setae on the antennae.

It is found amongst dead leaves, under stones, behind bark and in moss - wherever there is cover.

All year round

This ground beetle is a specialised feeder on mites and Springtails, using the many bristles on its antennae and head to locate and catch them. It hunts mostly at night.

It is a very common species - one of the most common British beetles, and widespread in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 287 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.