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.

Grampus and go-devil

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Ever taken a close look at a female dobsonfly’s head? Female dobsonflys don’t get nearly as much attention as the males due to the latter’s ridiculously elongated mandibles. While female mandibles are more modestly proportioned, don’t think they’re ineffectual—females are … Continue reading →

Posted in Corydalidae, Neuroptera | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Tiger beetles in southeast Missouri

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Volume 43(3) of the journal CICINDELA was published a few weeks ago, and I can truly lay more claim to the issue than anybody else (except perhaps Managing Editor Ron Huber). In addition to having one of my photos (a … Continue reading →

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

The World’s Largest Tiger Beetle

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Some of the first residents of my new insect cabinets (see MacRae Entomology Museum Expansion) are also among the newest specimens in my collection. Not long ago I received a box from world tiger beetle expert David Brzoska, who had carefully chosen … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

MacRae Entomology Museum Expansion

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Every five years or so I find myself facing the same dilemma—too many bugs and not enough space to keep them. Each time this occurs, I go through the same thought process trying to decide the best way to solve … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

My favorite Super Bowl Commercial

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In addition to choosing sides in the game itself, my wife and friends and I always enjoy picking our favorite commercials. My favorite this year came after the game was over but is an obvious choice: “Bugs on Grill” for … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Pollen Bath

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the smallest insects I saw during my latest visit to La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur (Buenos Aires, Argentina) was this tiny leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) feeding in the flower of a malvaceous plant that I take to be Abutilon pauciflorum. At only ~4 mm in … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

A Living Jewel – Madecassia rothschildi

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In North America, beetles in the family Buprestidae are commonly referred to as “metallic woodboring beetles.” This may be a perfectly adequate name—accurate and descriptive, but it’s also a bit dry and not terribly imaginative. Personally, I much prefer the moniker given to these beetles by … Continue reading →

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

Super Crop Challenge #11

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s been almost 3 weeks since the last challenge, so how about a Super Crop Challenge? Okay, not a true super crop as this is a full-sized photo (is that a hint?), but since it’s a close-up view of a … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments