Tag Archives: techniques

Crazy Eyes

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Spissistilus festinus (three-cornered alfalfa hopper) is one of the few truly economic pests in the otherwise bizarre and innocuous family Membracidae (treehoppers).  Its common name alludes to one of the crops it affects, but my encounters with this species are most often in soybean … Continue reading →

Posted in Hemiptera, Membracidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

BugShot 2011 – Final Thoughts

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

As I suspected would be the case, ID Challenge #11 has proven to be an especially difficult challenge.  As a result, instead of posting the answer tonight I’m going to give folks another day to make their play for points (remember, nobody walks … Continue reading →

Posted in Apidae, Arachnida, Araneae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

BugShot 2011 – Lesson 1

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

I’m a lucky guy! First, I’m one of the fortunate attending this weekend’s BugShot insect photography workshop. Second, this first-of-a-kind event is being held only 13 miles from my home at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri. Third, I was “adopted” by … Continue reading →

Posted in Hemiptera, Membracidae | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bumelia borer on white

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens | Ozark Co., Missouri Last weekend I visited one of my favorite collecting spots in all of Missouri—Long Bald Glade Natural Area (part of Caney Mountain Conservation Area in Ozark Co.).  Nestled at the eastern edge of the White River … Continue reading →

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

Use of extension tubes for better lighting

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

The photos in this post of Tetracha floridana (Florida Metallic Tiger Beetle) illustrate a technique that I have begun using recently to improve the lighting in my full-flash insect macrophotographs—use of extension tubes!  I know this sounds strange, and I actually just … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Charming Couple revisited

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Another view of the mating pair of Ellipsoptera hamata lacerata (Gulf Coast Tiger Beetle) that I photographed in a small mangrove marsh in Seminole, Florida. These are actually among the first tiger beetles that I ever tried to photograph at … Continue reading →

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

Cylindera cursitans (Ant-like Tiger Beetle) in Arkansas

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

In late June I visited Chalk Bluff Natural Area in northeastern Arkansas.  Situated at the northeastern-most corner of the state, it is here where the St. Francis River enters Arkansas from Missouri, slicing through the loose Tertiary conglomerates of Crowley’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Sugarcane Weevil in Brazil

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Ted C. MacRae

Brazil is one of the world’s top producers of sugarcane, and they have the Middle East to thank for it.  While the U.S. was responding to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo by building bigger and bigger SUVs, Brazil aggressively developed … Continue reading →

Posted in Coleoptera, Curculionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments