[5] Historically, in the 1950s, they have been found in western and northern Banks Peninsula, although habitat loss and high densities of predators have most likely contributed to their absence in these areas.

[5] Similarly, the decline in their numbers since the 1900s is most likely due to habitat loss by logging and farming, forest fires, and the increase in predator species in the area, such as hedgehogs and rats.

The level of disturbance to their local habitat by stock animals and predators may also influence distribution of M. howitti as well as that of their prey.

[1] It is believed that the survival of M. howitti may become threatened in the next 50 years, because they have disappeared from the Port Hills district since 1940, and have not been found in western parts of Banks Peninsula since 1980.

[1] Mecodema howitti is still under-documented, so little is known about their eggs, larvae, subsequent developmental stages, or longevity.

[1] Mecodema howitti do not migrate, and so gene flow is restricted..[9] Road and farmland development in the area has resulted in these small populations becoming isolated, and extinction is possible if there are major environmental change.

[4] Diet, prey and foraging Mecodema howitti are carnivorous predatory opportunists, feeding on smaller organisms when they are available.

Most introduced carnivorous predators in the area are nocturnal hunters of invertebrates, such as the possum, ferrets, weasels, rats, and hedgehogs.

[1] Although endemic New Zealand species tend to have cultural uses or significance to Māori it is not known if M. howitti are considered important to iwi in the area.