Tag Archives: immatures

Cycloalexy in tortoise beetle larvae

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the first insects I encountered during my visit this past November to Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires, Argentina were these tiny beetle larvae grouped together on a single leaf of an unidentified shrub.  The presence of fringed lateral appendages and exuvial-fecal debris masses … Continue reading →

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

“Sunflower looper” – Rachiplusia nu

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

With a planted area approaching 20 million hectares, soybean has become Argentina’s most important agricultural crop.  Most of the planted area is located within the so-called “Humid Pampas” region of central Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fe and Entre Rios … Continue reading →

Posted in Lepidoptera, Noctuidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Brazil Bugs #16 – Royal Moth Larva

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I was sure Super Crop Challenge #6 would be a win for the house, but Troy Bartlett scored an impressive points sweep by correctly deducing that the structures shown were the spines of an early instar caterpillar of “something akin … Continue reading →

Posted in Lepidoptera, Saturniidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pardalophora phoenicoptera – Orange-winged grasshopper

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

For some reason, I’ve found myself increasingly fascinated with certain grasshoppers—not just any grasshoppers, but band-winged grasshoppers (family Acrididae, subfamily Oedepodinae).  And not just band-winged grasshoppers, but band-winged grasshopper nymphs.  It began last year when I found adults and nymphs … Continue reading →

Posted in Acrididae, Orthoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A thrips is a thrips…

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The critter in ID Challenge #6 is, as most surmised, a thrips¹, and although the black-and-white banding of the elytra make the predaceous “banded thrips” (Aeolothrips sp. of the family Aeolothripidae) a logical ID choice, the species in the photograph is actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Thripidae, Thysanoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Answers to ID Challenge #5 – Artrópodes em casca de árvore morta

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

After checking into my hotel in Campinas, Brazil I couldn’t wait to start exploring the grounds to see what insect life I might be able to find.  Almost immediately, I encountered this dead tree in back of the hotel.  To a … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Collembola, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Polyxenida, Tenebrionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Rearing the Prairie Tiger Beetle (Cicindela obsoleta vulturina)

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Ted C. MacRae

I had so looked forward to the long Memorial Day weekend collecting trip – time of season and the weather were perfect, and it had been several years since I’d made a late spring swing through the woodlands, glades, and … Continue reading →

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