Length 6 to 7 mm. The ground colour of P. varipes varies from pale pinkish brown to red-brown and there are longitudinal markings on the upper surface. The hairs on the 1st antennal segment are shorter than its width (see below).  P. ulmi is similar, but is more uniformly marked and the 1st antennal segment is thinner and has longer hairs. P. varipes may be impossible to separate reliably from the much rarer P. insignis, a very scarce species confined to southern heathland.

Rough Grassland.

June to October.

Feeds on the flowers and fruits of a range of plants.

Widespread and fairly frequent in the southern half of Britain, absent from the far north.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.