Mecodema dux

Mecodema dux is a medium-bodied New Zealand endemic ground beetle that is found in the Ruahine Ranges, Taupo, Rangitikei and southwestern Hawke's Bay entomological regions.^[1][2]

Mecodema dux
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. dux
Binomial name
Mecodema dux Britton, 1949

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by:

1. the overall pronotal shape being ovate;
2. numerous punctures between pronotal foveae;
3. elytral striae 1–4 with obsolescent punctures, striae 5–8 with punctures more impressed;
4. the distinctive shape of the apical portion of the penis lobe.^[3]

Description

Length 19–24 mm, pronotal width 5–6 mm, elytral width 6–7.1 mm. Colour of entire body dark reddish-brown to matte black, coxae and legs reddish-brown.^[3]

Natural History

A flightless and nocturnal predator of a variety of invertebrates on the forest floor.

Further research is required.