Tag Archives: entomology

The (almost) Florida-endemic Cicindelidia scabrosa

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?

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

Here’s a cool animated gif I found at Tacky Raccoons.

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

Photographing the Newly Rediscovered Cicindelidia floridana

When Brzoska et al. (2011) announced the rediscovery of Cicindelidia floridana last April (and also provided convincing evidence for considering it a full species), I could hardly contain my excitement. At a time when increasing numbers of species are being reported in decline or going … Continue reading

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

ID Challenge #10

It’s time to begin Session #4 of the BitB Challenge Series.  Ben Coulter won Sessions #1 and #2 but was finally unseated by Max Barclay in Session #3.  We start Session #4 with a straight up ID Challenge.  Unlike previous ID … Continue reading

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Tiger Beetle Nocturnal Perching

During last week’s 48-hour blitz through Florida, I spent one evening blacklighting at the famed “Road to Nowhere” tiger beetle hot spot and encountered this male individual of Ellipsoptera hamata lacerata¹ clinging to the grass near my light.  A quick search of the … Continue reading

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

Charming Couple

You may have noticed a longer than normal interval since the last post (or not)—the result of a family vacation to Florida.  I’m not much of a beach bum, so while the girls found inordinate pleasure laying on the hot … Continue reading

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Cylindera cursitans (Ant-like Tiger Beetle) in Arkansas

In late June I visited Chalk Bluff Natural Area in northeastern Arkansas.  Situated at the northeastern-most corner of the state, it is here where the St. Francis River enters Arkansas from Missouri, slicing through the loose Tertiary conglomerates of Crowley’s … Continue reading

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