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.

The hunt for Cicindela celeripes

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the more enigmatic tiger beetle species in North America is Cicindela celeripes LeConte (swift tiger beetle). This small (6-8 mm), flightless species has been recorded from a restricted area of the eastern and southern Great Plains – from … Continue reading →

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

Sand Prairie Conservation Area

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

I have a love-hate affair with Missouri’s Southeast Lowlands (formally known as the Mississippi River Alluvial Basin, but simply called the “bootheel” by most folk in reference to the shape of its boundaries). Of the four main physiogeographic regions in … Continue reading →

Posted in Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, Cerambycidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Dicerca pugionata

Posted on July 25, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

In my recent post, Glades of Jefferson County, I discussed the occurrence on these glades of the strikingly beautiful Dicerca pugionata, a jewel beetle that breeds in the scraggly ninebark plants growing along the glades’ moist toeslopes. Adults of this … Continue reading →

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

Cicindela cursitans in Missouri

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

For several weeks now my colleagues and I have been immersed in surveys for selected tiger beetle species in Missouri. We placed 50 pitfall traps in western Missouri and 75 in the southeastern lowlands in mid-June and have been checking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Glades of Jefferson County

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

We stood a moment to contemplate the sublime and beautiful scene before us, which was such an assembly of rocks and water—of hill and valley—of verdant woods and naked peaks—of native fertility and barren magnificence… – Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 1818-1819 … Continue reading →

Posted in Anacardiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, Buprestidae, Coleoptera, Cornaceae, Cupressaceae, Fagaceae, Mammalia, Onagraceae, Poaceae, Polemoniaceae, Ranunculaceae, Reptilia, Rosaceae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Saving Missouri’s tigers

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

For several years now, my friend and colleague, Chris Brown, and I have been studying the tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae) of Missouri in an attempt to characterize the faunal composition and in-state distributions of the included species. Our studies have … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

My Dad

Posted on June 15, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

My dad had knee replacement surgery a couple days ago. The surgery went off without a hitch, and he’s doing very well. All signs are that he will bounce back quickly and suffer few, if any, complications. I’ve spent much … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Chrysobothris femorata “problem”

Posted on June 12, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

I found a young cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides) the other day that had recently fallen over in one of the many storms we’ve had this spring. Anytime I see one of these “windthrows” I immediately think – woodboring beetles! Windthrows … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments