Tag Archives: taxonomy

Speaking of Graphisurus…

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Graphisurus fasciatus is the commonest of the three species in this North American genus. It is easily distinguished from G. triangulifer by its smaller, narrower form, more mottled coloration, and lack of distinctive triangular-shaped black markings on the elytra. However, it can … Continue reading →

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

Rediscovery of Cicindela scabrosa floridana

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

In refreshing contrast to the more usually heard reports of declining and extinct species, a new paper by Dave Brzoska, Barry Knisley, and Jeffrey Slotten (Brzoska et al. 2011) announces the rediscovery of a tiger beetle previously regarded as probably extinct.  Cicindela scabrosa floridana was … Continue reading →

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

Bichos Argentinos #9 – Membracido

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

This treehopper that I photographed at La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur strongly resembles our North American species of Campylenchia due to the brown elytra and lack of any yellow markings on the pronotal crest.  However, the rounded lower margin of the frons (more apparent in … Continue reading →

Posted in Hemiptera, Membracidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Agelia lordi (Walker)

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

This pretty little beetle is Agelia lordi (Walker), a member of the jewel beetle family Buprestidae. I received this meticulously curated specimen – collected in Kenya – in a recent exchange with Stanislav Prepsl (Czech Republic). The species is found … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

BitB Does CoO

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Although my fondness for beetles is well known, I also have an inordinate fondness for systematics.  For this reason, Catalogue of Organisms by Christopher Taylor has long been high on my ‘must read’ list.  While there are no limits to the … Continue reading →

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Monday Moth – Polka-dot Wasp Moth

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Monday Moth post, so I thought I’d feature one of the prettier specimens in my very limited Lepidoptera collection.  This is Syntomeida epilais (polka-dot wasp moth), one of four species in the genus that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arctiidae, Erebidae, Lepidoptera, Noctuidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Featured Guest Photo – Dromica kolbei

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Shortly after I returned from Brazil, this stunning photo was sent to me by Joe Warfel, who himself had just returned from a trip to South Africa.  Joe had seen the beetle at Punda Maria camp in the northern part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments