[7] Camptopus lateralis can reach a length of 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in).

Body is elongated and rather hairy, with a dark brown background color, white margins and many veins in the membranous apex.

Femurs are thorny and enlarged, while tibias are yellowish-brown and curved.

This species is rather similar to Alydus calcaratus, that has rectilinear tibias.

These bugs are polyphagous but they mainly feed on Coronilla, Lotus, Trifolium, Ononis, Astragalus, Medicago, Ulex and Genista (Fabaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae), Euphorbia characias (Euphorbiaceae), Quercus coccifera (Fagaceae), Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae) .