One of New Zealand's outstanding beetles. Its dark green, slightly knobbly back (elytra) enthrall some vistors but its strong jaws may draw blood on the finger when picked up. Although it forms small burrows under logs it does not appear to burrow deep into the soil. It is relatively common the the beech forests of Fiordland National Park north to Haast Pass. It is much rarer north as far as Aorangi (Mt Cook) National Park. Its very isolated populations to the east are at relatively high levels in tussock grassland and individuals there are much blacker with a slightly violet iridescence.