Bugs Need Heroes

Latest Episodes:

Springald (SPRINGTAILS) Oct 04, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about springtails, which are not insects but are still very bugs. They are their own thing and they are a lot.

Bug discussion begins at 8:25

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/springald

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 and the darling Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Elated Skip Jack (CLICK BEETLES) Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about click beetles. These classic beetles deserve a classic superhero look. Tangents include Disney, dinosaurs, and social media (we prefer reddit).

Bug discussion begins around 11:00

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/skip-jack

Thank you to listener Maria for this suggestion!

Editor's Note: episodes may be out of order while we wrap up things from summer.

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and Camazotz.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Honey, I Shrunk The Podcast (GROUNDED!) Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z review the movie Honey, I Shrunk The Kids and the video game Grounded.

Editor's Note: episodes may be out of order while we wrap up things from summer.

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and Camazotz.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Whoops! Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

Producer Derek messed up the summer schedule so things will be intermittent until everyone gets back from family/travel/bug related adventures.

Dr Kelly Zimmerman on Spooko Podcast Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

Kelly guests on Spooko Podcast to talk about the film Prince of Darkness and discuss bug wranglers, 'pre'-biotics, and why so many horror movies about satan assume bugs are bad guys.
Follow Spooko on Insta: @_spooko_
Join the Feel Bad Club on our discord: https://discord.gg/mJAJYCChGy
And if you're keen for more Peach and Shag, check out our OTHER pod (it's about Gordon Ramsay): @peachandshagsnightmaremethod

The Vampire Hunters? (LOVEBUGS) with Ellen Weatherford Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

Dr Kelly Z is out today and filling in for her is Ellen Weatherford of Just The Zoo of Us podcast to discuss lovebugs (Plecia nearctica). Many tangents in this episode including Florida mullets, Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos, "shadow daddies," and a history of Batman's sidekicks.

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and the darling Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

A Bug's Life Needs Heroes? Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Kelly share their thoughts about the 1998 Disney/Pixar movie A Bug's Life.
Movie discussion begins at 5:30

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and the darling Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

99 Episodes But an Itch Ain't One (FLEAS) May 31, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk discuss the order Siphonaptera. They talk about all the things fleas are famous for: jumping on cats, giving rats the plague, and singing about California. Tangents include Elvira, circuses, and orcas.

Bug discussion begins at 8:29

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/99-episodes-but-an-itch-aint-one

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and the darling Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Bug Heroes: Joey Santore May 18, 2026

Show notes

This episode we are joined by Joey Santore of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't.

Joey's website: https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/

Joey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt

Joey's YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt

Joey's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt

Joey's Book (pre-order link): https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/concrete-botany-pre-order
Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and The Darling Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Poultry P.I. (CLOWN BEETLES) May 03, 2026

Show notes

Send in the clown beetles! Amanda thinks they are the most beetle you can be! Dr Kelly Z thinks they are cute! This episode is not for the coulrophobic! Tangents include Jason Bateman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and isopods!

Bug discussion begins around 9:30

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/clown-detective

Send us questions and suggestions! 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 and Clementine.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.