Mecodema longicolle explained

Mecodema longicolle is an endemic New Zealand ground beetle,^[1] and one of the few Mecodema species found in both the North Island and South Island.^{[2] [3]}

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by having:

1. stipes with 3 basal setae seta;
2. prothoracic carina narrow the entire length, moderately crenulated with 7–9 setae each side;
3. distinctive shape of apical portion of the penis lobe.

Description

Length 15.5–20 mm, pronotal width 3.9–5 mm, elytral width 4.7–6 mm. Colour of entire body dark reddish-brown to glossy black, coxae reddish-brown, legs black.

Natural history

Mecodema longicolle is found in the North Island native forests from Taranaki to Hawke's Bay south to Wellington. It shares this range with another similar sized species, M. florae, but they are often separated by altitude.

Notes and References

1. Broun. T.. 1923. Descriptions of new genera and species of Coleoptera. [Part VIII]. Bulletin of the New Zealand Institute. 1. 667–708.
2. Britton. E.B.. 1949. The Carabidae (Coleoptera) of New Zealand part 3: A revision of the tribe Broscini. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 77. 533–581.
3. Seldon. D.S.. Buckley. T.R.. 2019. The genus Mecodema Blanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) from the North Island, New Zealand. Zootaxa. en. 4598. 1. 1–148. 10.11646/zootaxa.4598.1.1. 1175-5334.