A medium-sized (9-12mm) black ground beetle. The typical form is uniformly black but there is a form with reddish femora (var. rufifemoratus).

P. nigrita cannot be separated from P. rhaeticus without examining the genitalia. P. nigrita has a rounded tip to the male right paramere and this is more pointed in P. rhaeticus.

Identification by gen det is necessary so your evidence should describe this.

Damp areas, marshes and water margins, but also in hedgerows on heavy soils.

All year round.

Widespread and common in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.