Description

Over all length 7 - 8mm. Small, elongate rove beetles. The head, pronotum and abdomen are shiny black and the elytra dark brown. The two species can only be separated by microscopic examination of the pronotum, which has strong micro-sculpture patterning in X. linearis.

Habitat

Well drained soils where it hunts for small insects amongst the low herbage.

Status and distribution

Widespread and common in Britain and common in Nottinghamshire. Found once at Netherfield Lagoons. The pictures show what is probably X. linearis.

Best time to see

April to August.