Bugs Need Heroes

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

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 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

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

All Bugs Go To Kevin Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

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 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

Show notes

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

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 with assistance from Chelsey Bawden.

Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.

Character artwork by Amanda Niday.

Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.