Tag Archives: science

“Armoured tank beetle”

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Photo details: Panasonic DMC-FX3 (macro setting w/ auto exposure, aperature, and focus), illumination by two 23w compact fluorescent light bulbs. Post processing details: Adobe PhotoShop Elements 6.0 to crop, adjust brightness and contrast, remove pinhead, erase background, and sharpen. In … Continue reading →

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

Tempting tok-tokkies

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, some of the America’s greatest entomologists were coleopterists.  Army surgeons John L. LeConte and his protégé George W. Horn, California’s Henry C. Fall, Col. Thomas L. Casey (much maligned for his mihi itch¹ … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

What’s bugging you?

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s not often that I use this forum to write about other blogs. There are so many to choose from – good ones – that it’s hard to know where to start.  Besides, I’d rather use the limited time I … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 5 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

Done with dung, meat please!

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

“No feces for this species.” “Carnivorous dung beetle shuns dung and decapitates millipede.” “Little dung beetle is big chopper.” “Dung beetle mistakes millipede for dung.” These were some of the clever headlines that I had to compete with in coming … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Diplopoda, Scarabaeidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Christmas in January

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

One of the ironies about collecting insects is that the winter months can be just as busy as the summer months, sometimes more so. Despite the lack of insect activity during these short, cold days, I actually find myself at … Continue reading →

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

Lions in South Africa

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Joerie, Joerie, botter en brood, as ek jou kry, slaat ek jou dood. Doodlebugs, joerie, shunties, toritos—these are but a few of the many colloquial names given to amusing little creatures that many people know simply as antlions (or translation … Continue reading →

Posted in Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Welcome new insect/invertebrate enthusiasts

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Ted C. MacRae

Some of you may have noticed my greatly expanded (and categorized) sidebar links listings.  I’d like to welcome the following insect & invertebrate-focused sites, all of which offer unique perspectives on the fascinatingly diverse world of spineless creatures.  Rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments