Length around 4.5 mm. The small oval/globular form and dark red to brown colouration are distinctive. Some have vague elytral patterning at the margins, especially in teneral specimens.

Hyphydrus aubei is a similar size and shape but has a much more distinctive elytral pattern.

Their normal habitat is stagnant still water and temporary ponds, drainage channels and slow moving water, rich in detritus and vegetation.

March to October.

A generally common species throughout England and Wales, but with far fewer records north of south Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.