Bugs Need Heroes

Latest Episodes:

Spider Rider (MANTIDFLIES) Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss mantidflies (Mantispidae), which are neither mantids nor flies. Tangents include movies, deviled eggs, and kicking robot dogs. And Kelly eats some ant sauce??? Thanks to Andrew for nominating this bug.
Bug discussion begins around 10:05

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/spider-rider

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. Zotz helped a little.

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 Good, The Bad, and the Bugly (LONGHORN BEETLES) Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss long-horn beetles. Tangents include forest creatures, mimicry, and television's Survivor.

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-good-the-bad-and-the-bugly

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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

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

Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. ROTUNDA helped a little.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Scooty! (HOUSE CENTIPEDES) Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss house centipedes. They are so fast! And so cute?! We learn a lot about these common domestic bugs, which are definitely not insects. Tangents include isopods, cats, Survivor, and piles of leaves (leave them!)
Bug discussion begins around 5:15

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/scooty

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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

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

Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. ROTUNDA helped a little.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Producer Note: Derek accidentally uploaded the wrong file version initially. This has been fixed.

The Devil's Uber (DEVILS COACH HORSE BEETLE) Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

This episode was originally recorded in Spring 2025, but an issue during recording caused it to be delayed until now. Kelly and Amanda discuss the rove beetle Ocypus olens (and a similar species in New Zealand). Tangents include cats, Bobby's World, and DC Comic's Gentleman Ghost and other Victorian spookyisms.

Bug discussion begins around 10:40

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Derek Conrad: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-devils-uber

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. Desdemona did not help much.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Song of Silk Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

Amanda leads an episode about the history of silkworms and how they changed the world!
Topic discussion begins around 7:10

Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. The cats did not participate in editing.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Biohacker (STREPSIPTERA with Dr Floria Uy) Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss twisted-wing insects (Strepsiptera) with Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy an assistant professor at the University of Rochester and a Levinson/Shapiro faculty schola . The name is deceptive because only the males have wings and they only have hours to use them to turn wasps into zombies! These rare insects have a strange and maybe even a little disturbing life history as parasitoids. Keep an eye out around goldenrod flowers and you might see the signs of an infected wasp! If you see any, tag #TeamWasp on your socials.

Bug discussion begins around 3:45

Follow Floria on Bluesky!

Floria's faculty page (become her student!)

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. The cats did not participate in editing.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Mudwoman (MUD DAUBERS) Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss mud daubers. These wasps use mud to build their nests and fill those nests with paralyzed spiders, which is a very sexy behavior. Tangents include dinosaurs, the morals of relative television, Earthworm Jim, and Amanda's crochet tips.

Bug discussion begins around 5:20

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Derek Conrad: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/mudwoman

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.

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.

Sharpshooter, Agent of H.O.P.P.E.R.B.U.R.N. (LEAFHOPPERS) Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes it's hard to name these characters, but not this week. Amanda and Kelly talk aeroplankton, animal communication, and ask what is a pest really. Tangents include John Singer Sargent, KPop Demon Hunters, and lots of fashion talk this week as Amanda walks us through her character creation process.
Bug discussion begins around 7:40

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/sharpshooter

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. His cats were in the way this week.

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.

Dude Dad Diaper Bug (GIANT WATER BUGS aka TOE-BITERS) Aug 03, 2025

Show notes

This episode we are joined by Dr Scott Kight once again to talk about Belostomatidae. We initially planned to do this topic around Father's Day for reasons that will become apparent. Tangents include bears, science teachers, and that Coldplay concert.

Bug discussion begins around 4:20

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. His cats were present but unhelpful.

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.

X-Mantis (MANTIDAE) Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

This episode contains discussion of sexual cannibalism as we discuss the classic mantis and how they are centaurs. Tangents include eagles, ninjas, and Amanda's art tips.

Bug discussion begins around minute six.

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/x-mantis

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. His cats did not help at all.

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.