Tag Archives: entomology

A non-black background is better… often!

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In my previous post, A black background is better… sometimes, I came to the defense of the oft-maligned pitch black background. Some macrophotographers studiously avoid black backgrounds (BBs), claiming that they look ‘unnatural’. However, as I discussed in my previous post, there are situations—primarily … Continue reading →

Posted in Arachnida, Araneae | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A black background is better… sometimes

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

If there is one subject that causes more disagreement among macrophotographers, it is the pitch black background. Granted, black backgrounds are common—almost ubiquitous in macrophotography, since they are easily created by using full flash illumination and ensuring that nothing lies behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Arachnida, Araneae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

And the winner is…

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Okay, time to fess up on which of my photos was selected for the 2013 ESA World of Insects Calendar, but before I do let me say that getting readers’ comments on which one they thought was selected proved to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

2013 ESA World of Insects Calendar Selection

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Today I received word from Richard Levine at the Entomological Society of America that one of my photos had been selected for the 2013 version of their famed World of Insects Calendar! Excuse me for a moment please… (pumps fist, stirs … Continue reading →

Posted in Acrididae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Membracidae, Orthoptera, Pentatomidae, Phasmida | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Even a 12-year old can discover the larva of a rare, endemic species!

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Since discovering the larva of the rare, endemic Florida metallic tiger beetle (Tetracha floridana) in the small, intertidal mangrove marsh behind my sister-in-law’s condominium in Seminole, Florida three years ago, I’ve looked forward to subsequent visits to see the adults (they’re nocturnal) … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Lampyridae | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Planet’s Coolest Critters – Tiger Beetles

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Readers of this blog know well (and hopefully share) my affection for tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae). That should come as no surprise, as tiger beetles rank among the most popular of all beetle groups. The reasons for this are many—for … Continue reading →

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

Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Epilogue

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

In Working with Cerceris fumipennis Part 1 and Part 2, I talked about the use of this species as a biosurveillance tool for Buprestidae. These wasps are specialist predators of jewel beetles, which they capture almost exclusively and paralyze with … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera, Crabronidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Palmetto Tortoise Beetle, Hemisphaerota cyanea

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

While most leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae) are found associated with herbaceous plant species, many members of the subfamily Hispinae—which includes leaf mining beetles and tortoise beetles—are found on the foliage of woody plants. In North America the most distinctive of tortoise … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments