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.

Friday Flower – Ceibo

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the major flowering spectacles in Argentina is Erythrina crista-galli, or “ceibo” (also spelled “seíbo”).  So great is this spectacle that both Argentina and Uruguay have declared it their national flower.  I’ve seen only hints of it myself, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Fabaceae | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Au Bon Marché

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Earlier this week a colleague in my lab presented me with this delightful print featuring beetle imagery.  A mutual acquaintance had encountered it while going through some items that had been in storage for many years, thought of me, and … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Bichos Argentinos #8 – “Mosca de la Carne”

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Here is the full-sized photo from which the “super-crop” featured in Super Crop Challenge #4 was taken.  As many of you guessed, this is a higher fly (order Diptera, suborder Brachycera) in the family Sarcophagidae, with the photo crop showing frontal portion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Diptera, Sarcophagidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Super Crop Challenge #4

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s been a long time since the last Super Crop Challenge – can you identify the structures and the organism they belong to?  As always, each correct taxonomic and descriptive answer is worth 2 points, and bonus points are awarded at my discretion … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

Enormous Unknown Bug!

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The other day I found an enormous bug in my house.  I had no idea what it was when I saw it, so I grabbed my camera and put on the 65mm macro lens to make sure I got some detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Bichos Argentinos #7 – Naupactus xanthographus

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

This weevil (family Curculionidae) was one of just a few beetle species that I encountered earlier this month in Buenos Aires, Argentina at La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur.  Weevils are, of course, one of the most taxonomically diverse and difficult groups of … Continue reading →

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

Bichos Argentinos #6 – Jumping Spider

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I photographed this jumping spider (family Salticidae) two weeks ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina at La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur. In gestalt it is very similar to our North American species of the genus Phidippus, but I can’t say for … Continue reading →

Posted in Arachnida, Araneae | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

BitB Does CoO

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Although my fondness for beetles is well known, I also have an inordinate fondness for systematics.  For this reason, Catalogue of Organisms by Christopher Taylor has long been high on my ‘must read’ list.  While there are no limits to the … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment