Mecodema chaiup


Mecodema chaiup is a large-bodied ground beetle species found in Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A single specimen was found beneath a large log in 2008 by D.S. Seldon and C.P. Martin. Since then a number of intensive pitfall trap surveys of Mohi Bush have failed to collect further specimens.

Diagnosis

Mecodema chaiup is distinguished from other North Island Mecodema by:
  1. Narrow elytra
  2. Distinct asetose punctures in a confused pattern that are irregular in size and shape

Description

Length 31 mm, pronotal width 8.5 mm, elytral width 6.5 mm. Colour of entire body matte black, except for the femur and tibiae which are dark reddish-brown.

Natural history

Flightless and presumably a nocturnal predator of a range of ground invertebrates, as are the other members of the genus.