14-17mm. Black, sometimes with a bluish sheen to the pronotum. Legs black but with reddish tarsi. Antennae black but getting paler towards the apex. Head transverse and quadrangular. Terminal segment of labial palps large. Pronotum narrows towards the base.

It is found in a variety of habitats, including compost heaps.

Like many rove beetles, this is predator of smaller insects.

Widespread throughout most of England and Wales.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 74 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.