Tag Archives: prairies

Revisiting the Swift Tiger Beetle – Part 1

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

When my hymenopterist friend, Mike Arduser, came back from his first trip to Oklahoma’s Four Canyon Preserve last September, my first thought upon seeing his photos of the area was, “Ooh, that looks like a good place for tiger beetles!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Dryinidae, Hymenoptera, Mammalia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Four Canyon Preserve, Oklahoma

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

On my recent week-long collecting trip, the first three days were spent at Four Canyon Preserve in far northwestern Oklahoma.  This nearly 4,000-acre preserve features a stunning landscape of rugged, wooded canyons dissecting ridges of mixed-grass prairie which provide critical habitat for … Continue reading →

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

On the road again!

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

  By the time you read this, I’ll be on the road again for yet another extended bug collecting trip.  I don’t think I am ever happier than when I am on one of these trips – whether it be a once-in-a-lifetime visit … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Goldenrod Leaf Miner

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

While photographing Acmaeodera tubulus and A. ornata a couple of weekends ago (see Springtime Acmaeodera), I came across this leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) of the genus Microrhopala¹.  When I took Systematic Entomology (so many moons ago), beetles in this and … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Do the Doodlebug Flip

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

I’ve been on a doodlebug kick ever since I finally figured out how to find the little buggers on my trip down to southeast Missouri.  I even found one in one of the tiger beetle terraria that I setup with native … Continue reading →

Posted in Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Blackjack oak “flower”

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

This blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) was found on one of southeastern Missouri’s finest sand prairie relicts a couple of weeks ago on my ‘Annual Birthday Season Opener Bug Collecting Trip.’ Growing near the edge of the prairie at the transition … Continue reading →

Posted in Fagaceae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Now you see me…

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

…now you don’t! In a previous post, I lamented the fact that I had never actually seen a live antlion larva, or doodlebug (family Myrmeleontidae). Lovers of sand, I’ve seen their famous pitfall traps many times, especially in recent years as I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A festive (tiger beetle) birthday

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Last Thursday was my birthday, and as has become my custom, I took the day off and went on my ‘Annual Season Opening Birthday Bug Collecting Trip.’  One or two of you might remember how these plans were scrubbed last … Continue reading →

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