Mecodema jacinda facts for kids
Mecodema jacinda is a special type of large ground beetle. It lives only in the Maungatautari Sanctuary, a protected forest in Waikato, New Zealand. This beetle is the biggest Mecodema species found there. Another smaller beetle, M. curvidens, also lives in the same forest. This unique beetle was named after Jacinda Ardern, who was the Prime Minister of New Zealand when it was discovered.
Quick facts for kids Mecodema jacinda |
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M. jacinda
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| Mecodema jacinda Seldon & Buckley, 2019
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What Does Mecodema jacinda Look Like?
This beetle is quite large! It can be between 29 and 36 millimeters long. That's about the length of two small paperclips. Its body is entirely black. It can be either dull (matte) or shiny (glossy), especially on its upper back part called the pronotum.
Where Does Mecodema jacinda Live?
Mecodema jacinda is a ground beetle. This means it lives on the forest floor. It is relatively common in its home, the native forest of Maungatautari Sanctuary. You can often find these beetles hiding under logs and rocks. They like to stay in dark, damp places.
