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.

Magodo – giant twig wilter

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

In previous posts, I have highlighted some of the insects I observed on a trip to South Africa in November-December 1999.  All of the photos I have shown to this point were taken at Borakalalo National Park in North West … Continue reading →

Posted in Coreidae, Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

For those of you who plan to be in the Chicago area on Saturday, March 7th, perhaps you’ll be interested in attending the 2009 Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network Annual Indoor Workshop. I’ll be giving a talk entitled, “From Hilltops to … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ship-timber beetle

Posted on February 28, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the more unusual, and enigmatic, beetles that I encountered in South Africa was this beetle in the pantropical genus Atractocerus.  Placed in the family Lymexylidae (ship-timber beetles), species in this genus look less like beetles than they do … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Lymexylidae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Sanctuary for the Betulaceae

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Nestled on the eastern side of the St. Francois Mountains, where the craggy exposures of the Ozarks most ancient rocks begin to subside underneath the Cambrian sandstones laid down over them, lies Hawn State Park – considered by many to … Continue reading →

Posted in Betulaceae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Winter botany quiz #1

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Can you identify these plants and tell what they all have in common (#1-5)?  Answers and more in the next day or two. #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 Bonus – Identify this plant: Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 2009

Posted in Betulaceae | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Millipede assassin bug

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

I continue the hemipteran theme begun in the last post with this photograph I took in South Africa below the Waterberg Range in Northern (now Limpopo) Province. I recognized them as members of the family Reduviidae (assassin bugs), and since … Continue reading →

Posted in Diplopoda, Hemiptera, Reduviidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Bizarre, beautiful extremes

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

No niche, it seems goes unfilled. Specialization is likely to be pushed to bizarre, beautiful extremes.–E. O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life Wilson didn’t mention treehoppers specifically when he made the above quote, referring to the exuberance of extreme behavioral … Continue reading →

Posted in Aetalionidae, Hemiptera, Membracidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

How to fail a test with dignity

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to take an exam, but I wish I would have thought of some of these answers when I was stumped: This student shows promise as future director of The Institute for Creation … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , | 16 Comments