Mecodema jacinda

Mecodema jacinda is a large-bodied ground beetle endemic to Maungatautari Sanctuary, Waikato, New Zealand. It is the largest species of Mecodema found on Maungatautari, which also has the medium-sized M. curvidens inhabiting the forest. It is named after former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.^[1]

Mecodema jacinda
Dorsal view of specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. jacinda
Binomial name
Mecodema jacinda Seldon & Buckley, 2019

Diagnosis

Differing from all other North Island Mecodema species by:

1. vertex smooth, vertexal groove defined by a few obsolescent punctures;
2. the pronotal carina broad the entire length with 8–12 setae each side;
3. interval 7 strongly convex in apical ⅓ (very distinctive);
4. the shape of the apical portion of the penis lobe.^[2]

Description

Length 29–36 mm, pronotal width 7.9–10.2 mm, elytral width 9.1–11.6 mm. Colour of entire body matte to glossy black (especially pronotum).^[2]

Natural history

Relatively common and can be found under logs and rocks in native forest.