Moderately large (10-14 mm) dark brown or blackish ground beetle. The antennae and legs are a paler red/brown, though the femora are usually dark.

Nebria brevicollis and N. salina are indistinguishable without examining the beetles under a microscope (or possibly a good hand lens). N. brevicollis has fine hairs on the dorsal surface of the hind tarsi which are absent in N. salina.

Lives in fairly dry or well-drained habitats, often under stones.

All year round.

Widespread throughout Britain, but less common than the very similar Nebria brevicollis.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 79 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.