Tag Archives: mimicry

Monday Moth: White-tipped Black Moth

Posted on November 9, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

When is a ctenuchid moth not a ctenuchid moth?  When it’s a White-tipped Black Moth (Melanchroia chephise) in the family Geometridae! I may be a beetle guy, but I also consider myself a competent general entomologist.  What is a competent general … Continue reading →

Posted in Geometridae, Lepidoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Ospriocerus abdominalis

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

My dipteran digression continues with this photograph of the robber fly, Ospriocerus abdominalis (Diptera: Asilidae).  More than just a pretty picture, this represents yet another apparently new state record that I and my colleague Chris Brown discovered a few weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Asilidae, Diptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Pyromorpha dimidiata

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Despite being a coleopterist, I was somewhat surprised when I realized that I have not yet posted a Lepidoptera photo on this site – especially considering their abundance, diversity (2nd largest order of insects), and overall photogenicity.  Time to change that.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Zygaenidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Bizarre, beautiful extremes

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

No niche, it seems goes unfilled. Specialization is likely to be pushed to bizarre, beautiful extremes.–E. O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life Wilson didn’t mention treehoppers specifically when he made the above quote, referring to the exuberance of extreme behavioral … Continue reading →

Posted in Aetalionidae, Hemiptera, Membracidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tragidion confusion

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Back in October, I discussed a recent review of the cerambycid genus Tragidion, authored by Ian Swift and Ann Ray and published in the online journal Zootaxa.  These gorgeous beetles mimic the so-called “tarantula hawks” (a group of large, predatory … Continue reading →

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

Tyrant ground beetles

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

I return to my Afrikaans theme with a distinctive group of ground beetles (family Carabidae) called tyrant ground beetles or spotted ground beetles (tribe Anthiini). I think I prefer the former. This tribe is largely restricted to Africa and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Carabidae, Reptilia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Buppies in the bush(veld)

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

In writing an article for the most recent issue of SCARABS, I found myself reliving some long-dormant memories of my trip to South Africa. It was nine years ago right about this time of year when I made what was … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

New species and a review of the genus Tragidion

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Ted C. MacRae

Species of Tragidion are among the larger and more attractive cerambycids in North America, making them popular among collectors. Their bright orange and black coloration clearly functions in mimicking spider wasps (family Pompilidae) in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis – … Continue reading →

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