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 “Giant” Pygmy

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Not long ago, I got an email from grasshopper expert David J. Ferguson confirming my identification of Pardalophora phoenicoptera (and also encouraging my recent fascination with band-winged grasshoppers (family Acrididae, subfamily Oedepodinae) and their marvelously cryptic nymphs).  He suggested that I might … Continue reading →

Posted in Orthoptera, Tetrigidae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

T.G.I.Flyday – Andrenosoma fulvicaudum

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

First, about the name. T.G.I.Flyday is my contribution to a collusional triad between dipterist Morgan Jackson, myrmecologist Alex Wild, and myself (uhm, beetles).  Although Alex blogs primarily about ants, he has long featured a “Friday Beetle Blogging” series.  I’ve also … Continue reading →

Posted in Asilidae, Diptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Sugarcane Weevil in Brazil

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Brazil is one of the world’s top producers of sugarcane, and they have the Middle East to thank for it.  While the U.S. was responding to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo by building bigger and bigger SUVs, Brazil aggressively developed … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Curculionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tracking Tetraopes texanus with Terry

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Last month I traveled to Starkville, Mississippi to meet with an academic cooperator at Mississippi State University.  While arranging the trip, I contacted Terry Schiefer (no, not the fashion jewelry designer, but curator at the Mississippi Entomological Museum) to let him know … Continue reading →

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

Bichos Argentinos #14 – Flies!

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

A few miscellaneous fly photos from La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur (Buenos Aires, Argentina)  taken last March.  I don’t have IDs except provisionally to family (let’s face it—flies are hard!). Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 20011

Posted in Asilidae, Calliphoridae, Diptera, Tachinidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Brazil Bugs #16 – Royal Moth Larva

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I was sure Super Crop Challenge #6 would be a win for the house, but Troy Bartlett scored an impressive points sweep by correctly deducing that the structures shown were the spines of an early instar caterpillar of “something akin … Continue reading →

Posted in Lepidoptera, Saturniidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Super Crop Challenge #6

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I thought I had everyone stumped in Super Crop Challenge #5, but Dave took advantage of the extended answer period and cracked the code for a solo win and the lead in the current session.  For this edition of Super … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

My Dad (reprise)

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I first wrote this post on Father’s Day 2008. It didn’t appear on Beetles in the Bush, but rather my other blog, the now largely defunct Bikes Bugs and Bones.  My dad is my hero, my confidant, and my best … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments