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.

Buprestidae exchange

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

With my queue of specimen identifications now clear, I can turn my attention to another major backlog that I haven’t been able to give proper attention recently—exchanges. For those of you not into insect collecting, exchanging is something that most … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Extreme sexual dimorphism in Buprestidae: Xenorhipis hidalgoensis

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Yesterday I received in the mail a package of specimens for identification from Dan Heffern in Houston, Texas. I first began corresponding with Dan about 25 years ago—not long after I myself became interested in Coleoptera, and as an avid collector of longhorned … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

2,171 pieces of chitin…

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

There are many reasons to look forward to the Holiday Season—time with family and friends, a break from the normal routine, the chance to engage in favorite activities leisure and otherwise, or maybe just kick back and not do much … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

I am an Entomologist

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In my last post (Best of BitB 2011), I showed my favorite 13 insect (mostly) macrophotographs from 2011. Such “Best of …” posts have become an annual tradition here at BitB, and I like them because they give me a chance to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Best of BitB 2011

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Welcome to the 4th Annual BitB Top 10, where I get to pick my 10 (more or less) favorite photographs of the year. As an insect macrophotographer I still feel like a relative newcomer, although with three seasons under my belt fewer … Continue reading →

Posted in Acrididae, Anthribidae, Arachnida, Araneae, Carabidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Fungi, Hemiptera, Membracidae, Orthoptera, Pentatomidae, Tettigoniidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Hover fly on mallow flower

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I’ve mentioned before my reluctance to take random “bug on a flower” photos, but the colors of this hover fly (family Syrphidae) and the mallow flower (Malvaceae, possibly Abutilon pauciflorum) on which it was sitting were enough to capture my … Continue reading →

Posted in Diptera, Syrphidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Santa Jaws…

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

…wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with family, friends, and fun. Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 2011

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged | 7 Comments

A Riot of Colors

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

For my friend Rich and I, Thanksgiving week marks the official beginning of the winter hiking season.  Fifteen years ago we began our quest to hike the entirety of the Ozark Trail, and with only ~50 of the 350 miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Fungi | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments