Mecodema punctellum

Mecodema punctellum is probably extinct beetle that was endemic to the New Zealand island Stephens Iceland.

Description

Mecodema punctellum was a large black beetle, which reached a length of 38.5 mm and a width of 11.7 millimeters. He was unable to fly.

The genus Mecodema occurs only in New Zealand and the offshore islands.

Habitat and behavior

About its habitat is not known. He probably came in humid forests and searched under the bark of large rotten tree trunks protection. His life was predatory and his diet consisted of snails.

Extinction

Mecodema punctellum was discovered in 1916 and 1931 last detected. After looking in the years 1961, 1971, 1974-1976, 1981, 1990, 1996 and 1997 on Stephens Iceland on D' Urville Iceland failed, he is now considered extinct. The reason for his disappearance is probably habitat destruction, as large, rotten tree trunks on Stephen Iceland no longer exist.