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.

Ovipositing Pigeon Horntail

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

By early July, woodboring beetle activity is at its peak in southern Missouri. Even though many of the smaller species of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) and longhorned beetles (family Cerambycidae) have already come and gone, bigger species in genera such … Continue reading →

Posted in Hymenoptera, Siricidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The ultimate jaws on a longhorned beetle!

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

Some 23 years ago, I departed on my first ex-U.S. insect collecting trip. I was still a youngster—barely into my 30s—but had by then a well developed interest in woodboring beetles of the families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. I had spent the previous … Continue reading →

Posted in Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Let’s make a deal!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

I recently conducted a complete reorganization of the jewel beetles (superfamily Buprestoidea) in my collection (TCMC). The primary purpose of this was to bring the nomenclature and arrangement of the collection into agreement with the recently published World Catalogue of … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Best of BitB 2012

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Welcome to the 5th Annual “Best of BitB”, where I pick my favorite photographs from the past year. 2012 was one of the most intensive travel years I’ve ever had—I spent 8 weeks in Argentina from February through April, made separate … Continue reading →

Posted in Blaberidae, Blattodea, Bombyliidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Chloropidae, Chrysomelidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dictyoptera, Diptera, Fulgoridae, Hemiptera, Lampyridae, Lepidoptera, Milichiideae, Noctuidae, Reduviidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

More Eocene insects

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Most of the Green River Formation (GRF) insect fossils that I have on loan clearly represent either beetles (order Coleoptera) or flies (order Diptera). I’ve already shown a few of the latter (fungus gnat, midge), as well as some that … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Virtual Mantle 2012

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In recent years a truly delightful custom has developed among taxonomic entomologists—Photoshopped e-Christmas cards featuring their favorite insects! This should not be a surprising development—connectivity among scientists from around the world is at an all-time high, as is their access … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy Holidays from BitB

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 2012

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The 2nd-oldest Known Myrmicine Ant

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Among the 20 or so insects represented in the Green River Formation (GRF) fossils that I currently have on loan, this rather obvious ant (family Formicidae) is the only one that is firmly assignable to the order Hymenoptera (wasps, bees … Continue reading →

Posted in Formicidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments