Bugs Need Heroes

Bug Heroes: Maria Sibylla Merian Nov 10, 2024

Amanda tells us about the life and work of Dutch entomologist and painter Maria Sibylla Merian.

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography.

Cats Need Heroes Oct 27, 2024

This time we are joined by our friend Dr Mike Glynn to talk about cats for our Halloween episode. Lots of stories of our dear pets both current and past. A few try to join the podcast!

You can watch the recording from our panel at Rose City Comic Con in 2024 here: https://youtu.be/Zkl70GcOkYU

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

My Neighbor Velvet Worm Oct 13, 2024

We are back from hiatus and you can really tell with this episode. Kelly and Amanda get all the wiggles out with this very wiggly bug. This episode is more explicit than usual with a very unusual critter.

Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/my-neighbor-velvet-worm

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography.

Summer Diapause Aug 18, 2024

We'll be back in the fall!

Gregarious Kevin (BROWN RECLUSE) Aug 04, 2024

This week we are joined once again by Kevin Wiener of All Bugs Go To Kevin. Kevin has a deep love for brown recluses and hopes to dispel some of the fear around this significant arachnid. Tangents include grief, voice notes, and cats. And a special life update from Kevin at the end of the episode.

Kevin's spider heartbeat video: https://youtu.be/BomIw3TjCRA

JAMA paper about the NOT RECLUSE mnemonic: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2603498
NPR article about it: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/16/515576450/is-that-a-brown-recluse-spider-bite-or-skin-cancer

The millipede lab at Virginia Tech mentioned at the end of the episode where Kevin forgot Dr Paul Marek's name: https://millipedes.ento.vt.edu/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography.

The Model Organism (HORNWORMS aka HAWKMOTHS) Jul 21, 2024

It's NATIONAL MOTH WEEK! We are celebrating by discussing a really hefty bug. A real chonker. There are over 1400 species of Sphingidae moths, and they start as juicy, mouthwatering caterpillars. It is a bug that Amanda has met and you may find in your garden on your tomatoes! We discuss some of their impressive adaptations as we create a character inspired by them. Tangents include ugly babies, summer fun, and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool.

Learn how to attract moths and count them for science! https://nationalmothweek.org/mothing-101/

Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-model-organism

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography.

Flonase Technicolor (FIREFLIES) Jul 07, 2024

Amanda tries (and fails) to resist singing the hit single from 2009 by Owl City as we talk about the Lampyridae family of beetles. They have many names, all of them deceptive. They are not flies, they do not produce heat or lightning, and they are not worms, but they are very buggy. Tangents include the book/film adaptation Where'd You Go Bernadette, the Fey, and several other things that Producer Derek has forgotten because he had to cut so much (future bonus episode?)

Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/flonase-technicolor

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography.

Painbow (MANTIS SHRIMP w/ Just The Zoo of Us) Jun 23, 2024

It's a rambunctious episode as Just the Zoo of Us Podcast host Ellen Weatherford joins us to settle a debate: are shrimps bugs? Are mantis shrimps shrimps? We discuss how they may or may not be turning into crabs and what they might think of sunsets. Tangents include Godzilla, weddings, pet store stories, internet memes, Sailor Moon and anime translations.

Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-painbow

Also Mentioned in This Episode:

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

BONUS: Don't freak out about Joro Spiders Jun 12, 2024

Remain calm.

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Dash (TIGER BEETLES) Jun 09, 2024

This week Kelly and Amanda talk about an extremely buggy bug. Is this best bug? Maybe! Tangents include why chess sucks, scrub jays, and spoilers for The Menu.

Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-dash

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Marquis de Beetle (BLISTER BEETLES) May 26, 2024

Content Warning for the episode: discussion of adult topics, including sexual assault and BDSM.

This week Amanda and Kelly discuss a weird group of beetles and its unusual life history and its role in history as a supposed aphrodisiac. Although we mostly focus on the Oil Beetles (Meloe genus), we also talk about some other blister beetles including spanish fly (Lytta vesicatoria). Tangents include juicy spiders, the aristocracy, Strong Bad, and historical dress.

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/marquis-de-beetle

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Pepper and the Pollution Solution (PEPPERED MOTHS) May 12, 2024

While this moth itself isn't very impressive, it has had an interesting story coinciding with the industrial revolution and the theory of evolution. Kelly discusses genetics and industrial melanism. Amanda discusses dinosaurs and dancing.

We recorded video for this episode and a portion of it is on youtube if you want to see pictures of the moths: https://youtu.be/c5pgfBdBCBk

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/pepper-and-the-pollution-solution

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Delay May 05, 2024

The Underground Musician (MOLE CRICKETS) Apr 21, 2024

Another cute bug this week! Mole crickets live in the soil and build musical instruments to augment their melodies. Tangents include Disney movies, exploding whales, marching band energy. And Kelly still hasn't seen A Bug's Life.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/underground-musician

The KATU News footage of the exploding whale in Florence, Oregon 1970: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CLumsir34

Listen to a recording of the Northern Mole Cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) on the Singing Insects of North America (SINA) webpage: https://orthsoc.org/sina/351a.htm

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Sweater-Eater Lad (CARPET BEETLES and other DERMESTIDS) Apr 07, 2024

On this week's episode, we talk about the spring-time sensation: carpet beetles! We also discuss how their cousins in the Dermestidae family are used in taxidermy and forensic entomology. We contrast the amazing eating abilities of carpet beetles with some of the misfits of DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes. Tangents in this episode dogs (both good and hot), being too hot, having long hair, and the genre of True Crime. Also in this episode, an unexpected visitor!

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/sweater-eater-lad

Carpet Beetle takes flight: https://imgur.com/a/O5zSKbA

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Cicadapocalypse with Roger McMullan (PERIODICAL CICADAS) Mar 24, 2024

This week Amanda and Kelly are joined by Roger McMullan to talk about periodical Cicadas and his graphic novel about them. Amanda has never seen a cicada. We talk about predator satiation, brooding, and the ever-present desire to scream. Tangents include road trips, lantern flies, eating bugs.

Mentioned in the episode:
Roger's graphic novel: https://mcmullanhouse.org/portfolio/cicadapocalypse/

Cicada ID app: https://www.cicadasafari.org/ "Singing Sushi" Recipe: https://www.montclair.edu/newscenter/2021/05/19/cicadas-safe-to-eat-sustainable-delicious-recipes/ Edible Insect Ambassadors, Brooklyn Bugs: https://www.brooklynbugs.com/ NPR story about the 2024 double emergence: https://www.npr.org/2024/01/21/1225925053/billions-of-cicadas-will-buzz-this-spring-as-two-broods-emerge-at-the-same-time

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Dr. M Grampus (VINEGAROONS aka WHIP SCORPIONS) Mar 10, 2024

This episode we discuss an adventurous arachnid with a powerful presence and a tender heart. Tangents include cookies, the films of George Lucas, and the parietal eye of some almost-lizards.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/dr-m-grampus

Arachnid poaching was mentioned in this podcast.

Watch them dig in All Bugs Go To Kevin!

Huge thanks to Bailey Russell for sharing their knowledge and passion for these bugs!

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Bearded Bobby the Brigand (ROBBER FLIES) Feb 25, 2024

This episode Amanda learns about a bug didn't know that she kinda knew when we discuss Robber Flies (family Asilidae). We talk about their protective beards, mobile pupae, impressive disguises. Tangents include Michael Fassbender, Percy Jackson, and other bugs that we love. Can you we've been playing a lot of Baldur's Gate 3 lately?

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bearded-bobby-the-brigand

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Good Katy (KATYDIDS) Feb 11, 2024

This episode contains discussion of sexual behaviors in katydids, which is surprisingly gross.
This is our Valentine's Day episode. This week we try to discuss katydids (Family: Tettigoniidae) but we get awfully off track. Tangents include discounted chocolate, PalWorld vs Pokemon, the musical CATS, and many other things that we had to cut for time. And Kelly gives an update on becoming Dr Kelly.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-good-katy

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Roller Girls (TERRESTRIAL ISOPODS) with Dr Scott Kight Jan 28, 2024

This episode contains discussion of sexual behaviors in isopods and other animals.
This week we are joined by Dr Scott Kight of Montclair State University to discuss terrestrial isopods. They are known by many common names and come in two basic shapes: runners and rollers. Dr Kight has used them to investigate questions about parental care and wider mysteries of biology. Tangents include the gut microbiome, tiktok, the pet trade, and the video games Death Stranding and Baldur's Gate 3 (no spoilers!). And a lot of discussion about sex and reproduction. We also ask if you can eat them and if shrimps is bugs (yes).

Scott Kight - Profile Pages - Montclair State University

Field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-roller-girls

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Desdemona Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

All Bugs Go To Kevin (bonus) Jan 14, 2024

We talked to Kevin for quite a while so here's a bit more with him!

All Bugs Go To Kevin Jan 06, 2024

This week we talk to Kevin Wiener about the facebook group he created that has attracted 160k would-be bug enthusiasts. We talk about overcoming fear, holding spiders, the importance of insects and integrated pest management.

Check out the All Bugs Go To Kevin facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/allbugsgotokevin

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Desdemona Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

And thank you to the Entomological Society of America for the Chrysalis Fund grant.

Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Body Butter (SPIDER LOTION?) Dec 31, 2023

Kelly and Amanda catch up after the holidays to talk about the viral meme circulating around the Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Body Butter sold at Sephora. We talk about the precedent of perfumes and other scents being attractive to animals whether intentionally or not and how likely or unlikely that is for wolf spiders specifically. Kelly reviews the lotion and Amanda discusses her fear of big cats. The manufacturer has said that there is no evidence of their product attracting spiders, but we kind of wish it did.
For more reading, check this article in Newsweek about the meme: https://www.newsweek.com/sol-de-janeiro-body-lotion-attracting-wolf-spiders-1856504

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Desdemona Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

And thank you to the Entomological Society of America for the Chrysalis Fund grant.

Ms Johnson discovers the meaning of CHRISTMAS BEETLES Dec 17, 2023

This episode we decided to three topics: christmas beetles, two species of hairstreak butterflies which feed on mistletoe, and where bugs go during the winter. Tangents include Hallmark movies, Norse mythology, and yule goats. And assistant producer Desdemona interrupts to have some cat yogurt.

Field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/christmas-beetles

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Desdemona Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Doodlebug (ANTLIONS) Dec 03, 2023

Amanda says she's never heard of this bug, but I know she has because it was on an episode of Kratt's Creatures that we watched as kids. However, it is nothing like either ants or lions. This puny predator puts its prey in pits! Tangents include pigeons, anime, and Jurassic Park vs The Hunger Games. Somehow, we never even mentioned the Sarlacc Pit from Star Wars.

Check out the character art and Kelly's Field Notes here: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-doodlebug

We adore the Doodlebug Oracle on Antlionpit.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Kelly’s Spidersona (WOLF SPIDERS) Nov 19, 2023

Kelly finally saw Across The Spider-verse! There are some mild spoilers in her review and the discussion that follows. In this episode, we discuss Kelly's favorite spider family: Lycosidae. Amanda designs a costume for if Kelly was bitten by a radioactive wolf spider. Tangents include yelling cats, fearful husbands, and the cursed knowledge of bird songs.

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Bug Type Need Heroes (POKEMON with Just The Zoo of Us) Nov 05, 2023

We invited Ellen Weatherford of Just The Zoo of Us podcast on to talk about Pokémon. As of generation 9, there are at least 92 different bug-type Pokémon. We discuss the hits, the misses, and the weird biology of these little guys and how they compare to the real world insect inspirations. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the games, Kelly wasn't either.

Visual Aid for the parody of Fact or Fiction.

Check out /u/FallinDevast's fakemon on reddit.

Ellen's links!

Her podcast: Just The Zoo of Us

Her Instagram: ElksNeedle

Her TikTok: @ellen.weatherford

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

ENCORE: Bats Need Heroes (DC’s BATMAN Special) Oct 30, 2023

This is a special encore for Halloween. This episode was originally released in October 2022. A few new bat species have been recognized since then according to Bat Conservation International and the Bat Species of the World: A taxonomic and geographic database.

In this episode, Kelly and Amanda invite Producer Derek on to talk about his heroes: the bats! What if Bruce Wayne had been bitten by a radioactive bat? Is Robin really the perfect partner for the caped crusader? Do bats really love a dark night? And most importantly, what is the cutest bat?

Some references on the episode page: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bats-need-heroes

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Harbinger (MOTHMAN) Oct 22, 2023

For a spooky treat/trick, this episode we give a recap of Kelly's visit to Portland and discuss some of our favorite cryptids with special focus on the mysterious appearance of the Homer Simpson of Cryptids in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Tangents include swooping, Richard Gere, and legitimate chili strategies.

Also Mentioned in the Episode:

View the artwork and Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-harbingerhttps://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-brown-beetle

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with some assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Lightfast! (SHELLAC, CARMINE, BEESWAX, TYRIAN PURPLE, IRON GALL INK) Oct 08, 2023

We're back! Since Kelly is still working on becoming Doctor Kelly, Amanda hosts this episode all about bug and bug adjacent derivatives. Tangents include art history (OBVIOUSLY), air travel, and children being scared in grocery stores.
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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

September Diapause Sep 10, 2023

We will be back in October.

If you are attending Rose City Comic Con on September 23, please say hello. We will presenting the panel "Wolverines Don't Howl: Actual Animal Super Powers," an earlier version of which eventually lead to this podcast. (Producer Derek will *attempt* to record it for our youtube page)

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Trash-Man with Arthro-Pod (COCKROACHES) Aug 27, 2023

This week we are joined by the entomologists at Arthro-Pod to talk about cockroaches! This is our biggest episode yet and conversation covers a wide range of tangents including our The Blue Beetle (the movie is good!), sexy Pokémon, how to best poison each other, "murder hornets", Danny Devito, the Elon Musk/Zuckerberg fight, and loose bugs. This is also the first episode where the topic of the show makes an appearance. So anyways, I started blatting...

And Kelly still hasn't seen Across the Spider-verse.

Follow our guests on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow, @bugmanjon, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36. Get their show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app!

View the artwork and Derek's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-trash-man

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Brown Beetle (DUNG BEETLES) Aug 13, 2023

We talk about poop in this episode. A lot. You know this bug from the nature documentaries, but with seven thousand species, there's a lot you don't know about this romantic beetle.

Tangents include whether Kelly has seen Across the Spider-verse yet (no), Julie of the Wolves, DC's Blue Beetle (no spoilers), Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and Kelly learns about a guy on a buffalo (a series of music videos by Jomo & The Possum Posse recut from a 1978 film). And we all learn about Amanda.

View the artwork and Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-brown-beetle

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with some assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Throw Dirt at Bees with Dr Mathias Nordvig (NORDIC MYTHOLOGY) Jul 30, 2023

This episode we interview Dr. Mathias Nordvig, Professor or Pre-Christian mythologies and Scandinavian folklore at the University of Colorado, Boulder. We chat about the differences between Norse and Nordic, bees in Nordic mythology, and why there is a general paucity of insect lore in Nordic mythology as a whole. Tangents include Loki, Amanda steps on a nail, Snorri Sturluson, Marvel's Thor and other animal lore. Dr. Nordvig has several books out about Nordic mythology (including a kid's book!) and has recently released his own translation of Völuspá: The Vision of the Witch, which Kelly read and loved. You can find it on https://www.hyldyr.com/.

Follow Mathias on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathiasnordvig/

Check out his website: https://mathiasnordvig.com/

Listen to his podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-sacred-flame/id1671438723

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with some assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Team Jacobaea (CINNABAR MOTH) Jul 16, 2023

It's just about time for National Moth Week!

In this episode we talk about Producer Derek's favorite moth: the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae). Finally, a rival for Isabella Tigermoth. And this moth isn't alone in her fight against the noxious Stinking Willie; her fellow biocontrol agents include the tansy ragwort flea beetle (Longitarsus jacobaeae) and the ragwort seed head fly (Botanophila seneciella). This moth and her team are basically Superman, but for cows. Tangents include Animorphs, Spider-verse, being a goth kid, and John Wick.

Check out NationalMothWeek.org to learn more about how you can participate in this citizen science initiative.

Field notes and artwork on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/team-jacobaea

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with some assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Bouncing Brute (SPOTTED LANTERNFLY) Jul 02, 2023

In this episode we talk about Kelly's cat's favorite bug: the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Kelly rants about honeybees. Amanda teaches Kelly the term "caked up." Tangents include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believing in faeries, crocuses, and trying to remember Adrien Brody's name. Plus a bonus taste test that makes Amanda uncomfortable.

The spotted lanternfly smashing app is called Squishr.

The taste test was of "DoomBloom" from The Philadelphia Bee Company

Field notes and artwork on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-bouncing-brute

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Harvestman as portrayed by Pedro Pascal (DADDY LONG LEGS) Jun 18, 2023

In this episode, we discuss the arachnid order Opiliones, also known as Harvestmen or Daddy longlegs. Easily confused with spiders, these detritivores have long had an urban legend about their mythical bite. But they are harmless and exhibit some impressive parental care. Also in this episode, Amanda talks about a car accident. Tangents include Bluey, Henry Cavill Sherlock, and a lot of talk about things dads enjoy (farts).

Kelly mentioned a video from Vine that showed the clumped up daddies. That has been rehosted here: https://youtu.be/JG3WXlykzhY

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-harvestman-as-played-by-pedro-pascal

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman

Editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Bug Hero: Kaitlyn O’Donnell (WINTER MOTHS, BIOCONTROL, CATTAIL MOSQUITOES) Jun 04, 2023

This episode with interview entomologist Kaitlyn O'Donnell to talk about a range of topics, but particularly her work with the invasive winter moth (Operophtera brumata) and her work at Norfolk County Mosquito Control. Tangents include the film Jupiter Ascending, bald eagles, and Amanda opens a can of worms called the biological species concept. Producer Derek highly recommends the documentaries Cane Toads: An Unnatural History and Ferrets: The Pursuit of Excellence but really any film by Mark Lewis is worth checking out.

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entomol_oh_gee/

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Across the Spider-People (MILES MORALES, JESSICA DREW, MIGUEL O’HARA) May 21, 2023

We recorded this episode before the release of the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse to discuss the heroes we expect to see in the film (Miles Morales, Jessica Drew, Gwen Stacy, and Miguel O'Hara), what we love about these characters, and to make wild speculation about the plot based on some of the comics we have read. We previously published an episode about Peter Parker in September 2022 discussing how that Spider-Man's powers compare to real life spiders. Tangents include Disney's Encanto, the dystopian setting of Marvel's Spider-Man 2099, the trouble with multiverse stories, and what Brian Michael Bendis is like as a college professor (adjunct).

This episode contains minor spoilers for The Mitchell's Vs The Machines and Spider-Man: No Way Home but does not have spoilers for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse unless we got lucky.

Field notes and artwork on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/across-the-spider-people

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Super Mom (EARWIGS) May 07, 2023

The vocab word of the day is cerci. Amanda proves she has been paying attention in this episode about perhaps the buggiest bug who ever bugged. This episode discusses the soil beasts who you may find in your bathroom and their outstanding parental care. Tangents in this episode include the moral capacity for evil in dolphins, garter snakes, and the films of Don Bluth (both real and imagined).

Field notes and artwork on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-super-mom

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Basic Bug (SILVERFISH) Apr 23, 2023

Get ready to learn some entomology jargon! This episode is all about what a bug is. We discuss taxonomy, anatomy, how we are defining a "bug" in this podcast. If you've ever wondered if bugs are tasting you with their feet, this episode is for you. Tangents in this episode include eating ants, marine biology, and fiddler crabs in The Little Mermaid.

Field notes and artwork on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-basic-bug

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Goth Moth (DEATH’S-HEAD HAWKMOTH) Apr 09, 2023

The star of the cover of the VHS box art of the 1991 film Silence of the Lambs is here. This aesthetic insect has a dark secret! What relationship does she have with the bees, poisonous plants, and bad omens? Tangents in this episode include Ikea trips, targeted advertisements, and spoilers for American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Episode notes and artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-goth-moth

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Killer Queen (CICADA KILLER) Mar 25, 2023

Introducing the final member of our "Bee Team". Fastidious and precise! Guaranteed to blow your mind! Although they look intimidating, Cicada Killers (Sphecius spp) have been described as "the gentle giants of the wasp world." These gregarious wasps have a surprisingly survival strategy. Also in this episode, Amanda forgets to turn off her discord notifications and learns about insect wings.

Show notes and hero: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-killer-queen

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Cottagecore Queen (MASON BEES) Mar 13, 2023

It is time! We recorded this episode back in January and saved it until it was time. It is time! It is time to put out your mason bee houses! Kelly describes the natural history of these powerful pollinators and Amanda quickly becomes infatuated. These belly-flopping bees are lemon-scented friends and they are as beautiful as the orchards they visit. And if you want these beneficial bugs in your backyard, you can set up a house for Osmia and other insects to use. Also in this episode, Amanda tries to show Kelly her ears.

Show notes and hero: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-cottagecore-queen

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Last of Ants (CORDYCEPS) Feb 26, 2023

Kelly and Amanda start this episode talking about oral surgery but pivot to something slightly less scary: The Last of Us. There are many types of infectious fungi, but we focus on the cordyceps/ophiocordyceps species which infect terrestrial arthropods. We talk about some of the common zombie tropes, how fungi partner with trees, and how ants avoid their own apocalyptic fungal infections.

Show notes and hero: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-last-of-ants

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Anti-hero (PAVEMENT ANTS) Feb 25, 2023

This is an encore that you probably already heard before! Producer Derek accidently published this a second time, but its a good recap on ant behaviors before the CORDYCEPS episode.

In this episode Amanda and Kelly discuss PAVEMENT ANTS (Tetramorium caespitum). You may have see them, their sand volcanos, or their wars.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-anti-hero

See the heroes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes

Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman.

Artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Part Two: Plants Need Bugs (DC’s POISON IVY/SWAMP THING, Marvel’s GROOT) Feb 19, 2023

This week we are joined by Dr. Pedram Daneshgar! We continue last week's discussion on plant super powers and their pollinators. We veer into plant defenses and regeneration, fungal relationships, gardening, and house plants! We tried to cover everything but if we didn't, we'd love another excuse to invite Ped back.

Ped's Lab Page: https://pedram34.wixsite.com/pedramdaneshgar

Ped's Monmouth University page: https://www.monmouth.edu/directory/profiles/pedram-daneshgar/

Ped's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geeky.gardener/

Ped's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pedpatrick

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Part One: Plants Need Bugs (DC’s POISON IVY/SWAMP THING, Marvel’s GROOT) Feb 12, 2023

This week we are joined by Dr. Pedram Daneshgar! With the Bee Team almost completed, we wanted to talk to a botanist about pollination, but we quickly got off topic. We talk about invasive species, pollination, art history, and our favorite plant super heroes. This conversation was great and will continue into a second episode next week.

Ped's Lab Page: https://pedram34.wixsite.com/pedramdaneshgar

Ped's Monmouth University page: https://www.monmouth.edu/directory/profiles/pedram-daneshgar/

Ped's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geeky.gardener/

Ped's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pedpatrick

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Explodey Joe (BOMBARDIER BEETLES) Jan 29, 2023

The Bombardier Beetle is a bug we've wanted to cover since the beginning and now that Derek's basement isn't flooded, we can! There are over 500 species of these beetles with some surprising life histories and a shared appreciation of boiling enemies alive with fake acid. Also Amanda and Kelly talk about weddings and dragons.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character:

https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/explodey-joe

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

The Fuzzy Friend (BUMBLEBEES) Jan 16, 2023

We continue to assemble our Bee Team with a gentle giant. We discuss their similarities and differences in life history to the other two bees we have discussed. And it wouldn't be a Bugs Need Heroes episode without sneaking a little bit of art history discussion at the end!

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character:

https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-fuzzy-friend

Send us questions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

A Boxing Day Delay (BUGJOKES) Dec 25, 2022

The cave we keep Producer Derek in unfortunately flooded and he hasn't been able to polish off this week's episode! But no worries, Amanda is here with some apologetic bug jokes to tide you over until (hopefully) next week! She does not apologize for their badness. Happy Holidays!

The Bean Bosses (CHOCOLATE MIDGE) Dec 11, 2022

Chocolate midges (Genus: Forcipomyia) are tiny flies that do one big thing for us. In size? Miniscule. In impact? Monstrous! It's a very distractible week on the pod. Topics range from super hero movies to royal journals to extinct birds! It's a very wild and sexy episode of Bugs Need Heroes.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-bean-bosses

Send us questions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/

Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes

Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes

Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Holiday Special (Marvel’s MANTIS/Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special) Nov 26, 2022

We decided to watch and discuss the new release on Disney+, the 2022 Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. We talk about how Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff, compares to actual an actual mantis and whatever else wanders through our heads in this special holiday episode.

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