Mecodema aoteanoho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mecodema aoteanoho |
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Broscini
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M. aoteanoho
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| Mecodema aoteanoho Seldon & Leschen, 2011
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The Mecodema aoteanoho is a special type of ground beetle. It is found only on Great Barrier Island (also known as Aotea) in New Zealand. This island is part of the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland.
This beetle is medium-sized, usually about 19 to 24 millimeters long. That's about the length of your thumb! It is also around 5.5 to 7 millimeters wide. The Mecodema aoteanoho is closely related to other beetles like M. haunoho from Little Barrier Island and M. atrox from the Coromandel Peninsula.
What it Looks Like
The Mecodema aoteanoho beetle can be either a dull or shiny black color. It has a tough outer shell.
These beetles cannot fly. They do not have wings under their hard wing cases, which are called elytra. The elytra are fused together, meaning they are joined and cannot open.
Life and Habits
Scientists do not know much about the full life cycle of Mecodema beetles in general.
The Mecodema aoteanoho is active at night. It is a predator, meaning it hunts other small creatures. It also eats dead plants and animals, acting as a scavenger. These beetles live in the native forests of Great Barrier Island. They feed on different small animals that live on the ground or in the soil.
See also
In Spanish: Mecodema aoteanoho para niños
