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.

Diversity in Tiger Beetle Larval Burrows

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the fascinating aspects of tiger beetle study is their often high degree of fidelity for specific habitats.  Some species prefer wet habitats, while others frequent the drier uplands.  Some like sand while others need clay.  Differences in salinity, vegetational cover, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Red-eyed Devil

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

In June 1994, I made my first insect collecting trip to Big Bend National Park.  Both of my previous visits to Texas had been to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, so I was anxious to see what beetle treasures awaited … Continue reading →

Posted in Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

ID Challenge #2

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Here is another straight-up ID Challenge. Standard rules apply: Points awarded for correctly naming the order, family, genus, and species (2 pts each). Bonus points may be given (at my discretion) for providing additional relevant information (e.g., diagnostic characters, biological/ecological uniquities, clever jokes, etc.).¹ … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 34 Comments

Monroe Canyon epilogue – Audubon’s tiger beetle

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

In my first post about Monroe Canyon in the Pine Ridge of northwestern Nebraska, I featured the sumptuous Cicindela lengi (blowout tiger beetle) – a target species for the trip and one of six tiger beetle species that Chris Brown … Continue reading →

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

BitB Top 10 of 2010

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Welcome to the 3rd Annual BitB Top 10, where I pick my 10 (more or less) favorite photographs of the year.  My goal for 2010 was to continue the progress that I began the previous year in my quest to become a bona … Continue reading →

Posted in Arachnida, Araneae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Chilopoda, Cicindelidae, Cleridae, Coleoptera, Hamamelidaceae, Lepidoptera, Plantae, Reptilia, Scolopendromorpha, Sesiidae, Vertebrata | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

North America’s largest stag beetle

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Ted C. MacRae

  Here is the full-sized photo that provided the image for yesterday’s Super Crop Challenge #3.  The insect in the photo is, of course, a fine example of a male Lucanus elaphus – the giant stag beetle (family Lucanidae).  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Lucanidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Super Crop Challenge #3

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Ted C. MacRae

There are lots of points up for grabs with this one, what with several body parts to name as well as the organism to which they belong needing to be identified.  Rules and points will be awarded roughly as outlined in … Continue reading →

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

My MT-24EX flash diffuser

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Ted C. MacRae

When I purchased my insect macrophotography rig two summers ago, I already knew that one of the biggest challenges I would face (besides a steep learning curve) was lighting.  While it is possible to do insect macrophotography using only natural light, this … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , | 20 Comments