Bugs Need Heroes

Latest Episodes:

The Burning Bee (JAPANESE HONEY BEES) Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

This episode focuses on a subspecies of the Eastern Honey Bee, Apis cerana japonica, which has some unique and impressive behaviors to thwart would-be predators. Kelly discusses the Better Common Names Project, bee balls, and jello. Amanda discusses the times she was nearly killed by toothpaste, the judgement of a toddler, and the "murder hornets" of Washington state.

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

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.

The Big Boys (RHINOCEROS BEETLE/STAG BEETLE) Oct 02, 2022

Show notes

Content Warning for this episode: There is a story about the loss of a pet and brief mention of suicide from minutes 9-14.

In this episode, Amanda flexes her art history degree and Kelly adds another item to her shopping list. An example of remarkable behavioral convergence and sexual dimorphism gives us a double episode of big boy beetles with feudal stylings.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for these characters: https://bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-big-boys

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.

A Friendly Neighborhood Hero (Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN) Sep 18, 2022

Show notes

Respect the hyphen! This episode is all about Peter Parker and how his powers compare to actual spiders. Is Spider-man amazing or simply spectacular? Is Tom Holland the best Spider-man yet? Where did Peter get his sick dance moves? Does the MCU need more dancing??? We have a lot of thoughts about these things.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-friendly-neighborhood-hero

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.

Kelly’s Nemesis (MOSQUITOES) Sep 04, 2022

Show notes

Is she good? She is bad? This episode features the focal species of Kelly's PhD research and Amanda learns some startling facts about what mosquitoes are up to when they aren't biting her ankles.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character: https://bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/kellys-nemesis

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

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman.

Artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music by Rolemusic.

Mini Episode: Bonus Bits Aug 21, 2022

Show notes

CONTENT WARNING: Amanda tells a gross story about eating spoiled food in this collection of cut bits.
Send us questions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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.

Listener Questions Mini Episode: Black Widow, John Cena, Antz vs Bugs Life Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

Some cut discussion from previous episodes about Marvel's Black Widow, John Cena and wrestling, and whether Antz or A Bugs Life is more accurate.
Send us questions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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.

The Dashing Duo (DAMSELFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES) Jul 31, 2022

Show notes

Amanda and Kelly discuss the order Odonata which includes dragonflies and damselflies with a fantasy twist.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for these characters: https://bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-dashing-duo

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.

The Viridian Villain (EMERALD ASH BORER) Jul 24, 2022

Show notes

The first villain for the show is an invasive wood beetle that threatens to decimate forests.

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

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.

The Hungry, Hairy Heroes (WOOLLY BEAR/ISABELLA TIGER MOTH) Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLARS (Pyrrharctia isabella) and their adult moth form.

Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork for this character: https://bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-hungry-hairy-heroes

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

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.

The Yellow-Blooded Hero (LADYBUGS) Jun 25, 2022

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss LADYBUGS. What do they do? Why are they red? Are any of them blue? All of these questions and more are answered!

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

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.