Species really variable in sizes, sculpture and solidity, usually strong, conic-oval in form, apex sharp but non slim in outline, suture broad. Sculpture is made by axial and spiral ribs of same consistency that, once they cross, make numerous tubercles covering the whole surface. Aperture roundish in form, peristome continuous, external lip thickened by an external varix and denticulated internally. Variable in colour: on a ground beige in colour there are often visible two bands brown in colour, one of which subsutural and the other one at the base of last whorl. Protoconch paucispiral (about 1.3 whorls) with large nucleus. Alvania cimex is a quite similar species recognizable mainly since it has a protoconch with a larger number of whorls (2-2.3 whorls) and smaller sizes of apex (see confrontation photo page 154), besides a more limited distribution. Operculum thin, corneus, nucleus subcentral. Juvenile specimens are really brittler being labial varix missing. Average measures of adult specimens reach 4.5-5 mm in height.

Habitat: it lives in the infralittoral zone on stiff substrata feeding on vegetable particles. Distribution: it can be found all over the Mediterranean. Quite common.