Mecodema oregoides

As adults, the beetles are 12-16mm (0.47-0.63 in) in length. The body is a uniform black colour and is convex in shape. The fovea of the prothorax is not well defined. The ridge of the prothorax is narrow and reaches the anterior angle. The striations of the elytra are evenly spread out and have small punctures. Setiferous punctures (depressions in the body with a hair sticking out of them) are present on the clypeus (both sides of it) and on the third, fourth and fifth ventrites (segments on the underside of the abdomen).

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is only found on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island. They are known to occur in native habitat such as forests, scrublands, and tussock grasslands, but also occur in human modified habitat such as gardens and farmland.

Based on the morphology of their mouthparts, they are presumed to be predators. They are fairly slow runners that hide under logs and stones during the day, only coming out at night.

The adults occur throughout the year. However, they are reported to be more common from November to March. They reportedly lay their eggs during autumn. In one study, the female to male sex ratio was reported to be about 1 to 0.8.

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