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.

Frenatae 2011 Calendar

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Even though we’re now in the latter part of February, I wanted to spread the word about a cool insect-themed calendar shown to me by a colleague during my recent trip to Brazil. Produced by Frenatae, the Graduate Student Entomology … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Diptera, Scarabaeidae, Tabanidae, Zopheridae | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Is Missouri’s disjunct population of Johnson’s tiger beetle extirpated?

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The December 2010 issue of the journal CICINDELA came out a little over a week ago. Leading off inside is the first in a series of papers that I, along with colleagues Chris Brown and Kent Fothergill, have prepared detailing … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Friday Flower – Orquídea bambu

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I arrived at our facility in Campinas, Brazil just before lunchtime.  I had spent the previous 20 hours on planes, trains, and automobiles (well, not trains), so when my colleague suggested that we take a short walk outside to the campus … Continue reading →

Posted in Orchidaceae, Plantae | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Brazil Bugs #13 – Gorgulho do fungo

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Over the weekend during my trip to Brazil last month, I took a walk in the municipal park near my colleague’s home in Barão Geraldo. There was a rather large lake with a walking trail going around it, and although much … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthribidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Featured Guest Photo – Dromica kolbei

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Shortly after I returned from Brazil, this stunning photo was sent to me by Joe Warfel, who himself had just returned from a trip to South Africa.  Joe had seen the beetle at Punda Maria camp in the northern part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Answers to ID Challenge #5 – Artrópodes em casca de árvore morta

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

After checking into my hotel in Campinas, Brazil I couldn’t wait to start exploring the grounds to see what insect life I might be able to find.  Almost immediately, I encountered this dead tree in back of the hotel.  To a … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Collembola, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Polyxenida, Tenebrionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Brazil Bugs #12 – Desafio de identificação #5

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Here we go again – 2 pts each for any correct taxon name up to and including order and any supporting information you can provide.  Standard ID Challenge rules apply.  Hint: don’t take anything for granted – this one is going to … Continue reading →

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

Brazil Bugs #11 – Formigas cortadeiras

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

This week is Army Ant Week, and while Alex Wild’s stunning photographs of this diverse and charismatic group reign supreme, some of the cooler bug bloggers are nevertheless getting into the spirit of things with army ant posts of their own.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Formicidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments