Mecodema teparawhau sp. n.

Figure 57.

Diagnosis: Differing from other North Island Mecodema species by having: 1, an indistinct vertexal groove with obsolescent punctures laterally; 2, 8–10 setae along prothoracic carina; 3, setal distribution along ventral edge of left paramere (Fig. 57 LP).

Description: Length 26–32 mm, pronotal width 7.5–9.5 mm, elytral 8.6–10.6 mm. Colour of head and pronotum glossy black, elytra and ventrally matte black, coxae dark reddish-brown and legs black.

Head: Broad and flat (Fig. 14A). Vertex smooth; vertexal groove shallow but defined by obsolescent punctures laterally; large supraorbital puncture bearing 5 setae (Fig. 57); 1 indistinct supraorbital groove mesad eyes; frons smooth, except shallow grooves in large depression each side proximate pits; frontoclypeal suture very narrow medially to indistinct in grooves around very small tentorial pits; anterior area of clypeus with well-defined grooves; clypeus with 1 setose puncture each side bearing 1–2 setae (Fig. 57), some specimens may have medial setose puncture bearing 1 seta. Labrum rectangular, anterior edge rounded laterally, slightly emarginated medially with with 2 proximate central setae, 2 setae each side evenly spaced. Mentum lobes rounded (Fig. 12F), median process broad and short, slightly angled upward (15°), moderately indentate (Fig. 12B); setae variably absent or present. Submentum sclerite constriction narrow with 6 evenly spaced setae. Stipes with 2 basal setae. Gula pits small, suture defined, gula (Fig. 8) flat and smooth. Gena with fine wrinkles medially forming an isodiametric pattern laterally.

Prothorax: Prothoracic carina narrow the entire length (slightly broadened at shoulder), slightly crenulated with 8–11 setae each side (Fig. 57), extended to anterior angle; posterior lateral sinuation indistinctly carinate, parallel; pronotum broad and slightly deflected laterally, overall shape broadly cordate; midline poorly impressed, anterior medial impression triangular, posterior medial impression diamond-shaped present, disc with transverse wrinkles; pronotal foveae (Fig. 11) shallow and narrow; anterior edge inwardly curved, posterior edge slightly emarginated medially. Prosternum concave and smooth; proepisternum with microsculpture. Procoxal setae absent; protibia distally expanded and shovel-like (Fig. 10B).

Elytra: Broad and deflected laterally; humeral angle evenly convex (Fig. 6B); basal margin moderately curved and gently sloped to base, interval 1 extended to base; lateral carina narrow the entire length, extended to humeral angle; humerus with 3 setose punctures; suture well-defined; striae with small, regularly spaced, asetose punctures, slightly increased in size laterally; intervals 1–8 slightly convex, interval 9 moderately convex; interval microsculpture absent; 7 th strial setal pattern with 3 setose punctures in anterior ½, 5 setose punctures in posterior ½ (Fig. 57), setose punctures small.

Ventral surface: Mesepisternum and metepisternum without microsculpture; setose punctures present on mesocoxa (2) and metacoxa (2). All abdominal ventrites (Fig. 2) finely lineate laterally; ventrites 1 and 2 with scattered obsolescent punctures, ventrites 3–5 with 1 setose puncture each side of midline; ventrite 6 setae present: ♂ with 1–2 setose punctures each side distantly situated at junction of straight apical edge and curve anterad; ♀ with 2–3 setose punctures each side, medially proximate, along rounded apical edge; lateral foveae absent. Anterior metaventrite process (Fig. 2) a short triangle with a narrow carina the entire length.

Male genitalia: Apical portion of penis lobe asymmetrically hooked with a distinct deflection to right of vertical axis (VV) (Fig. 15A); ventral process a very small, bluntly rounded point (Fig. 57 PL), apex asymmetrically curved upward to form a long and narrow dorsal process with a slightly recurved hook that is perpendicular to shaft, short, shape return curve to broadened apical part of shaft (Fig. 57 PL); penis lobe shaft narrow the entire length, very gradually broadened to base; ventral edge of penis lobe with slight curve to right (VV); overall length of penis lobe moderate curved ventrally (LV) (Fig. 16B). Structures of the endophallus (Fig. 4): lateral form of the apex of the central spicule pointed; dorsal form of the apex of the central spicule greatly expanded with projection; setal (scales) coverage of the apical plate moderate (26–75%); size of left setose flange small; size of right setose flange very large. Left paramere articulated at right angle to penis lobe, rectangular with slight dorsal hump forming a steep (60°) slope to arm (Fig. 57 LP); arm short and narrow; terminal lobe short and broad with an apical tuft of a few short setae; medium-lengthed setae in a comb at arm-basal lobe junction with shorter setae extended a little way along curved ventral edge (Fig. 57 LP). Right paramere long, narrowly triangular with a double row of long setae extended along apical ¾ of ventral edge (Fig. 57 RP).

Female genitalia: Basal gonocoxite 1 short and broad, ventral surface smooth, internal dorso-lateral carina with 2 setae. Gonocoxite 2 a short rounded triangle with a slight upward curve apically. Ramus (Fig. 5) long and broad.

Comments: The Whangarei area has a number of Mecodema species that inhabit the forested hills, and with all species it is difficult to determine their natural distributions due to the isolation induced by anthropogenic activities.

Distribution: New Zealand, North Island, Northland, Whangarei area, Pukenui Forest, Mt Parahaki.

Holotype: AMNZ male labelled. NEW ZEALAND, ND, Pukenui Forest, 9 May 2000, E. Conaghan / NZMS 260 Q07 245 0 96, on track / HOLOTYPE Mecodema teparawhau n. sp. design. DS Seldon, TR Buckley 2018 [red label] / AMNZ 40702 [green label] .

Paratypes: 1♂, 1♀, NEW ZEALAND, ND, Hirupaki Pa site, 3 March 1999, AM Booth / NZMS 260 Q06 269 124, in pitfall trap / AMNZ 40700, 40701 [green labels]; 1♀, NEW ZEALAND ND, Whangarei, Pukenui For., Ridge Tk PTs DSS072 , 1 Feb 2013, CAR 225, D.S. Seldon (NZAC); 2, Maungakaramea, Whangarei / 0 0 22, E. Fairburn 1925 / Mecodema scitulum Broun / 2593 / R.M. Gurr Collection / AMNZ 40756 [green label]; 2♂, 3, KAMO MT WHANGAREI 8.10.30 Coll. M. SIMPLEX [hw] / 2007. 163. 10866; 1 0867; 10868; 10869; 10870 (NZAC); 5, KALMO MT WHANGAREI 8 :10:32 COLL. M. SIMPLEX [hw] / 2 007.163.10866–10870 (CMNZ).

Etymology: This species is named to honour Te Parawhau, an inland Whangarei hapu with close connections to Ngati Wai.