Tag Archives: beetles

Diffusion versus post-processing, or perhaps something even better?

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the comments on my post Diffuser comparisons for 100mm macro lens was by Stephen Barlow, one of the original “concave diffuser” advocates, who claimed that the “dead” appearance of Photo #4 was an artifact of post-processing and not really a problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Texas Prick

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

Recently my friend Kent Fothergill launched a series of posts ranting about discussing the difficulties associated with common names. The inaugural post featured the insect I show here, Dectes texanus, a member of the family Cerambycidae (longhorned beetles) that has gained … Continue reading →

Posted in Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 47 Comments

How to collect larvae of Amblycheila cylindriformis

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

Step 1. Go to your favorite grassland habitat in the western half of the Great Plains anywhere from Texas north to South Dakota and look for barren soil amongst the vegetation. Clay banks near streams or in ravines and even vertical clay … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

You know what bugs me about dung beetles?…

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

Okay, I know this isn’t a true dung beetle, but this earth-boring scarab (family Geotrupidae) is close enough that I’ll take the opportunity to use one of my favorite dung beetle jokes.¹ This is one of several individuals that I … Continue reading →

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

Cicindela 44(3–4) is issued

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

The latest issue of the journal Cicindela arrived in my mailbox yesterday, and it’s safe to say that I’ve got the issue “covered.” The issue features three papers, one of which documents my recent encounter with Cicindelidia ocellata rectilatera (Reticulated Tiger Beetle) in Arkansas … Continue reading →

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Diffuser comparisons for 100mm macro lens

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

I really wish I could just buy three Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash units, mount one directly on the camera, run the other two wirelessly on each side as slaves, put a nice big soft box diffuser on each of them, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

It’s always a happy day…

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

…when the latest issue of The Coleopterists Bulletin arrives in my mailbox. On this occasion it was the December issue of Volume 66—nine papers and eight scientific notes filling 84 pages of beetle awesomeness. It’s pure elytral ecstasy! I presume I … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mr. Phidippus gets his loot

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Ted C. MacRae

I’m sure by now Mr. Phidippus is wondering where his loot is. You see, some months ago Mr. Phidippus won BitB Challenge Session #5 with a solid string of 1st and 2nd place finishes in that session’s five ID and super crop … Continue reading →

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