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.

Why I Roamed the Marsh at Night

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

For two years I waited.  The narrow strip of coastal scrub and mangrove marsh along the intracoastal waterway behind my sister-in-law’s condominium in Seminole, Florida had been an unexpected surprise during my first visit in August 2009.  Despite its small size and urban surroundings, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Creepy Crawly Crustaceans

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

During my early August trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida, I spent several nights exploring the small mangrove marsh behind my sister-in-law’s condominium in Seminole. There were other reasons for me wanting to do this that will be revealed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Crustacea, Isopoda | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Super Crop Challenge #8

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Here’s a face you don’t see that often (or at least I don’t).  There’s little doubt about what body parts are shown here, so rather than awarding points for naming structures we’ll treat this as a standard ID Challenge.  However, the categories … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

The (almost) Florida-endemic Cicindelidia scabrosa

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The recently rediscovered Cicindelidia floridana (Miami Tiger Beetle) may have been the highlight of my 48-hour early August blitz through Florida, but it was by no means the only Florida-endemic that I hoped to find during the trip.  In fact, the day … Continue reading →

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

Predator or Prey?

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Everyone knows that tiger beetles are predators, but look closely at the underside of the head of this female Ellipsoptera hamata lacerata (Gulf Beach Tiger Beetle), photographed in a coastal marsh in Dixie Co., Florida earlier this month.  See the ant head attached by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Formicidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

80 Beetles

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Here’s a cool animated gif I found at Tacky Raccoons.

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

Photographing the Newly Rediscovered Cicindelidia floridana

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

When Brzoska et al. (2011) announced the rediscovery of Cicindelidia floridana last April (and also provided convincing evidence for considering it a full species), I could hardly contain my excitement. At a time when increasing numbers of species are being reported in decline or going … Continue reading →

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

ID Challenge #10

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s time to begin Session #4 of the BitB Challenge Series.  Ben Coulter won Sessions #1 and #2 but was finally unseated by Max Barclay in Session #3.  We start Session #4 with a straight up ID Challenge.  Unlike previous ID … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments