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.

A tortoise beetle gift

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

A few days after returning from travel through northern Argentina, I found a jar on my desk with this beetle in it. One of my colleagues has seen it in the field while I was away and figured I would be interested … Continue reading →

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

Retrachydes thoracicus – times four!

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Disclaimer—these are not great photos! A few days ago I posted this little quip as my status on Facebook: “Cool! Found a Retrachydes thoracicus thoracicus on the sidewalk outside my hotel!” I chuckled a little as I posted it, knowing that only … Continue reading →

Posted in Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Two more winners

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

When I announced the winner of BitB Challenge Session #5, I had forgotten about a comment I made in a previous challenge that I was considering awarding prizes to the session’s 2nd and 3rd place finalists as well as the … Continue reading →

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

Chicharra que canta, calor adelanta

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

There is a species of cicada (“chicharra” in Spanish) that strikes me as quite common in the central Humid Pampas region of Argentina. I saw numerous individuals during March of last year at La Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur (where these photos were taken), … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicadidae, Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The most common beetle in Argentina

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

I don’t know if this is truly the case, but Astylus atromaculatus (family Melyridae) is one of only a few beetles in the country that actually has two Spanish common names—”astylus moteado” and “siete de oro” (meaning “spotted astylus” and “seven of gold”, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Melyridae | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Eriopis connexa on soybean in Argentina

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Congratulations to those of you who correctly guessed the identity of the “subject” in ID Challenge #16 as the ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa (family Coccinellidae). This is one of the most common ladybird beetles in Argentina, and during the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Coccinelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

ID Challenge #16

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

This will be the last post for BitB Challenge Session #5 (for a recap of the current standings see A Living Jewel – Madecassia rothschildi). This is a straight up identification challenge, but with a twist. Can you identify the subject … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Lord of the flies!

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

I happened upon a rather interesting scene last week in a soybean field in northern Argentina (Chaco Province). This assassin bug (family Reduviidae) had captured and was feeding on an adult stink bug of the species Piezodorus guildinii—an important pest of soybean … Continue reading →

Posted in Chloropidae, Diptera, Hemiptera, Milichiideae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments