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All Rhizophagus spp. have antennal grooves on either side and slightly under the head (Bousquet, 2004). Body is fairly flattened, elongate and small, under 4.5 mm in total length (Bousquet, 2004). The final abdominal tergite (the last segment visible dorsally) is not covered by elytra (Sengupta, 1988). Larvae may be 2-6 mm in length and flat or cylindrical or tapered at both ends (Lawrence, 1991).The pronotum, the section of dorsal exoskeleton directly behind the head, is shorter and wider than in other species and the entire body is slightly wider (Bousquet, 1990). Rhizophagus remotus have their 11th antennal segment visible at the end of the club (Bousquet, 1990), similar to R. dimidiatus.

Colours of parts of the exoskeleton and patterns of the divets on the pronotum may allow for the separation of eastern and western specimens, but a large amount of variability is still present (Bousquet, 1990). Catch of R. remotus in window traps in forested northern Alberta tends to be fairly consistent (but not abundant in comparison to other Rhizophagus species) through spring and summer (J. Jacobs, pers. comm.).

Many specimens have been collected under the bark of pine (Pinus spp.) and often trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Due to this deciduous presence, it is likely that R. remotus feeds more heavily on decaying material than other bark beetle predators in this genus.

Distribution of North American collected specimens is clustered along the southeastern coast of Canada and the northeastern coast of the United States. The eastern distribution continues west to Manitoba and possibly further south in the US (Bousquet, 1990). Western populations extend from Alaska through California, extending east to Alberta and south to Arizona and New Mexico (Bousquet, 1990).