Mecodema chaiup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mecodema chaiup |
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| The only known specimen of M.chaiup, found in 2008. | |
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M. chaiup
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| Mecodema chaiup Seldon, 2015
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Mecodema chaiup is a large ground beetle species. It was found in a special place called Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve. This reserve is in the Hawke's Bay area of New Zealand.
Only one of these beetles has ever been seen! It was discovered in 2008. The beetle was hiding under a large log. Since then, scientists have searched a lot. They have used special traps in Mohi Bush. But they have not found any more M. chaiup beetles. This makes it a very rare and mysterious insect!
What Makes It Special?
M. chaiup is different from other Mecodema beetles found in New Zealand's North Island. Here are some ways to tell it apart:
- It has narrow wing covers. These are narrower than its pronotum, which is the part behind its head.
- It has special tiny bumps on its body. These bumps are not in a neat pattern. They are also different sizes and shapes.
What Does It Look Like?
This beetle is about 31 millimeters long. That's a bit over an inch! The widest part of its body, the pronotum, is 8.5 millimeters wide. Its wing covers are 6.5 millimeters wide.
The whole beetle is a dull black color. But its legs, called the femur and tibiae, are a dark reddish-brown.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Do?
M. chaiup cannot fly. It is a ground beetle, meaning it stays on the ground. Scientists believe it is a predator. This means it hunts and eats other small creatures. It probably hunts at night.
Like other beetles in its group, it likely eats many ground invertebrates. These can include spiders, other beetles, and worms.
