Mecodema Atrox

''Mecodema atrox'' is a medium-sized (17–24 mm length, 6–8 mm width) ground beetle species that is closely related to ''Mecodema curvidens'' (a very widespread species throughout the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau). ''Mecodema atrox'' is relatively rare in comparison due to its preferred habitat, the coastal broadleaf forests of the Coromandel Peninsula, a forest type that is in decline. The body of ''Mecodema atrox'' is black and the legs are dark reddish-brown. They can be distinguished from other ''Mecodema'' species by a number of characters, including the pattern of asetose punctures along the elytral striae.

This species is part of the ''curvidens'' group that has a geographical distribution from Northland (including the Three Kings Island) to Banks Peninsula, South Island. Species of the ''curvidens'' group predominantly follow an eastern distribution including species on the offshore islands (e.g., Poor Knights Island, Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) and Aotea (Great Barrier Island). There are no species from this group found in the Auckland entomological region, but they are found in the Coromandel Peninsula.

Description

See Seldon & Buckley 2019.

Natural History

Nothing is known of the larvae and little is known of the adults, but ''M. atrox'' is a coastal forest-dweller that feeds on a range of ground invertebrates. It is flightless with low dispersal capabilities, however it is a species within a ground beetle genus that has dispersed across New Zealand and many offshore islands.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q13820782

atrox
Beetles described in 1949
Nothobroscina