This small beetle is only 3-4mm long. The elytra are dark and usually yellow tipped, exposing part of the wings and abdomen beneath.

There are fifteen species in the genus and they are very hard to separate. For males examination of the appendages at the tip of the abdomen under a microscope is required. Females can't usually be identified to species.

Well wooded areas, but also in long grass and water meadows.

Early May to late August

As with other members of the Cantharidae family, they are mainly predatory, preying on other insects.

Common in southern Britain, scarcer in the north

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 44 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.