Bugs Need Heroes

Latest Episodes:

The Larva Face (IRONCLAD BEETLES) Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

The uncrushable beetle has arrived in all his bedazzlements. Tangents include America's Next Top Model, Frankenstein, and a lot of wrestling talk. And Amanda picked a name that was already a superhero, so I had to choose a different title.

Bug discussion begins around 9:00

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/larva-face

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 Desdemona.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Attaantium (LEAFCUTTER ANTS) Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about leaf cutter ants. This is an iconic ant. 'Nuff said!

Bug discussion begins around 6:00

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

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 Desdemona.

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 and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

Bug Hero: The Bee Babette (Dr KIT PRENDERGAST) Mar 22, 2026

Show notes

This episode we are joined by Dr Kit Prendergast to talk about wild bees! How do we protect these important pollinators from the many threats and what exactly are those threats? And what the heck is a lek? We talk about naming an undescribed species after Tom Ellis, costuming, and the challenges of science outreach when discussing honeybees. Unfortunately this is an audio medium so you'll have to go to her socials to see pictures of her dog Zephyr, who has a species named after them now!
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buzzonwildbees/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.beebabette

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheBeeBabette

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kit-Prendergast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeeBabette

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.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group and introducing us to Dr Prendergast.

Off This Week Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

At Emerald City Comic Con. Back again soon!

Bringing Home a Baby Butterfly (LARGE BLUE BUTTERFLY) Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

There are only seven basic plots: Overcoming the monster, Rags to riches, Voyage/Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth, and the Quest. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is all seven. Eric Carle himself said its "a book of hope... a way about growing up, how scary it is, but how you can fly into the world with your talents." He is wrong. It is a book of conquest.

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss the large blue butterfly (Phengaris arion) which is neither large nor especially blue. This species was once considered nearly extinct in Great Britain but has since made an incredible recovery. It's an interesting story so I won't summarize a podcast further in text! Tangents include Valentine's Day, overalls, and ska.

Bug discussion begins around 10:45

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bringing-home-a-baby-butterfly

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.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

The SciComm Spectre (PHASMIDS) Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss a popular family of insects and one in particular that is very popular in zoos and museums, the giant-australian-prickly-walking-stick-insect (Extatosoma tiaratum). Tangents include Indiana Jones, pirates, and the weather.
Bug discussion begins around 9:00

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/scicomm-spectre

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.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

The Admiral's Insect (TREE LOBSTERS) Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

This week Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss the Lord Howe Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis). This species was presumed extinct until a small extant population was found and efforts from captive breeding programs in zoos brought them back. It's not quite Jurassic Park but we like it. Tangents include carnivorous deer, ecological niches, and hit musicals.
Bug discussion begins around 12:00

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.

Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

Bug Hero: Dr Nina Jenkins (BED BUGS) Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

This episode we are joined by Dr Nina Jenkins of ConidioTec to talk bed bugs and how a fungal treatment called Apprehend she developed can be used to control them. We discuss how a biocontrol agent for aphids, whiteflies, and thrips went through the shark tank and regulatory agencies to your bedroom. Tangents include tarantula people, vampire entomology, and Jurassic Park (always!)

Bug discussion begins around 4:50

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. Zotz tried to help.

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 and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

Auntie Spider (SOCIAL AND SPITTING SPIDERS) Dec 28, 2025

Show notes

We take another dip into our spider-verse with a discussion of spitting spiders and spider sociality. Tangents include parenting and homework advice, hamster cannibalism, Superman, Fionna and Cake. It takes a friendly neighborhood to raise a spider (aka a crawl space).

Bug discussion begins around 7:10

Kevin's Spider Video: Spitting Spider (Scytodes longipes) exhibiting its "spitting" behavior.

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/auntie-spider

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. Zotz did not help, but he tried to.

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 and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

The Rising of the Stink Hero (SHIELD BUGS) Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

This week Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss the family Pentatomidae, also known as shield bugs but more commonly known as stink bugs. You may have fought them in the video game Grounded. Special attention is given to the Brown Mamorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) for being an agricultural pest and seasonal nuisance in winter. Tangents include children's names, eating bugs, and how Kelly was married by a sea captain.

Bug discussion begins around 10:30

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/rising-of-the-stink-hero

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. Zotz did not help. He got in the way. A lot.

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 and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.