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Length less than 6.0 mm. Body form narrowly oval, convex, moderately acute anteriorly and posteriorly, black with olive green pubescences (Downie et al. 1996). Antennae and legs markedly stout; sterna with fine, decumbent hairs (bending downward) (El-Moursy 1970). Central transverse mark on elytra with cinereous (grey) spot near centre (El-Moursy 1970). Elytral punctures dense and often coalesced (Johnson 1991). Male genitalia with median lobe narrow at centre and pointed and enlarged at apex; parameres broad at base and narrow near apices (El-Moursy 1970). Female genitalia presently unidentifiable (Hatch 1961). Larvae with large hypognathous head (head and mouth directed ventrally) with discrete ventral epicranial ridges and 6 distinct stemmata. Similar in body form to larvae of Chrysomelidae but with well-developed lacinia and articulated galea (Lawrence 1991).

Adults are sometimes found in the soil of young trees in nurseries (Lawrence 1991 and Lawrence et al. 2000) and as washup or windblown drift on beaches (Johnson 2000). Larvae burrow through moss layers and underlying substrate (Johnson 2000). When disturbed, adults pull in their appendages and remain motionless. This behaviour creates the appearance of a small pebble or pill, hence the common name (El-Moursy 1961).