Author Archives: Ted C. MacRae

About Ted C. MacRae

Ted C. MacRae is a research entomologist by vocation and beetle taxonomist by avocation. Areas of expertise in the latter include worldwide jewel beetles (Buprestidae) and North American longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae). More recent work has focused on North American tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) and their distribution, ecology, and conservation.

Third time’s a charm!

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

This post may seem like déjà vu to some of you, as it is my third featuring our common woodland tiger beetle species, Cicindela sexguttata (six-spotted tiger beetle). However, this post is as much a photography lesson as it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Brachys on oak

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Although the beetles I photographed for my springtime Acmaeodera post are among the smaller buprestids occurring in Missouri, they are by no means the smallest. That honor belongs to the curious little genus Mastogenius, measuring only around 2 mm in … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On the road again!

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

  By the time you read this, I’ll be on the road again for yet another extended bug collecting trip.  I don’t think I am ever happier than when I am on one of these trips – whether it be a once-in-a-lifetime visit … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Goldenrod Leaf Miner

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

While photographing Acmaeodera tubulus and A. ornata a couple of weekends ago (see Springtime Acmaeodera), I came across this leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) of the genus Microrhopala¹.  When I took Systematic Entomology (so many moons ago), beetles in this and … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Springtime Acmaeodera

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Last weekend I mustered up the courage to begin experimenting with the 1-5X macro lens with my new camera. I had played around with it a little, trying to get a feel for finding the subject (it seemed hard) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Osage copperhead

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

While photographing Cicindela sexguttata last weekend, Chris and I encountered this young copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix).  It was the second copperhead I had seen in as many days – unusual, since I can count on my two hands the number … Continue reading →

Posted in Reptilia | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments

A new look at an old friend

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Chris Wirth just wrote a nice post summarizing the use of digital SLR camera systems for insect macrophotography.  Having just gone through the process of upgrading to a dSLR system from a point-and-shoot myself, I can relate to much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Do the Doodlebug Flip

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

I’ve been on a doodlebug kick ever since I finally figured out how to find the little buggers on my trip down to southeast Missouri.  I even found one in one of the tiger beetle terraria that I setup with native … Continue reading →

Posted in Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments