A large beetle (17-22 mm). The pronotum has two parallel depressions (called foveae) and it has wrinkles above its eyes. It also has a 'box-like' shape with the pronotum and elytra edges in a more or less straight line.

A few Pterosticus species are also large, black beetles but the two parallel foveae and its overall shape are reasonably distinctive.

Found under logs in woods and on damp moorlands.

It can be found all year but most records are in late summer and autumn.

Quite common throughout Britain

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.