Category Archives: Insecta

Insects – Collembola, Protura, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Thysanura & Pterygota (winged insects).

Peek-A-Boo!

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Despite the geographic specificity of its scientific and common names, the Carolina grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina) can be found in every state of the contiguous United States and adjacent provinces of Canada. Its large size, cryptic coloration with yellow hind wings, tendency … Continue reading →

Posted in Acrididae, Orthoptera | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Use of extension tubes for better lighting

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The photos in this post of Tetracha floridana (Florida Metallic Tiger Beetle) illustrate a technique that I have begun using recently to improve the lighting in my full-flash insect macrophotographs—use of extension tubes!  I know this sounds strange, and I actually just … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Charming Couple revisited

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Another view of the mating pair of Ellipsoptera hamata lacerata (Gulf Coast Tiger Beetle) that I photographed in a small mangrove marsh in Seminole, Florida. These are actually among the first tiger beetles that I ever tried to photograph at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gnom, Gnom, Gnom…

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I’ve become a big fan of night-time tiger beetle photography since my early August trip to Florida.  Not only does it open up the world of nocturnal species that might go undetected during the day, it also affords the opportunity to … Continue reading →

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

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

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