55 episodes
Bugs Need Heroes BugsNeedHeroes
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- Science
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4.9 • 18 Ratings
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Each episode an artist and an ecologist team-up to discuss small creatures and create a bug-themed character. Check out the character artwork at BugsNeedHeroes.com or https://instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is ”Ladybug Castle” by Rolemusic.
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Pepper and the Pollution Solution (PEPPERED MOTHS)
While this moth itself isn't very impressive, it has had an interesting story coinciding with the industrial revolution and the theory of evolution. Kelly discusses genetics and industrial melanism. Amanda discusses dinosaurs and dancing.
We recorded video for this episode and a portion of it is on youtube if you want to see pictures of the moths: https://youtu.be/c5pgfBdBCBk
Kelly's Field Notes: Pepper and the Pollution Solution (bugsneedheroes.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. -
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The Underground Musician (MOLE CRICKETS)
Another cute bug this week! Mole crickets live in the soil and build musical instruments to augment their melodies. Tangents include Disney movies, exploding whales, marching band energy. And Kelly still hasn't seen A Bug's Life.
Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/underground-musician
The KATU News footage of the exploding whale in Florence, Oregon 1970: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CLumsir34
Listen to a recording of the Northern Mole Cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) on the Singing Insects of North America (SINA) webpage: https://orthsoc.org/sina/351a.htm
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. -
Sweater-Eater Lad (CARPET BEETLES and other DERMESTIDS)
On this week's episode, we talk about the spring-time sensation: carpet beetles! We also discuss how their cousins in the Dermestidae family are used in taxidermy and forensic entomology. We contrast the amazing eating abilities of carpet beetles with some of the misfits of DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes. Tangents in this episode dogs (both good and hot), being too hot, having long hair, and the genre of True Crime. Also in this episode, an unexpected visitor!
Kelly's field notes and Amanda's artwork: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/sweater-eater-lad
Carpet Beetle takes flight: https://imgur.com/a/O5zSKbA
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. -
Cicadapocalypse with Roger McMullan (PERIODICAL CICADAS)
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
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. -
Dr. M Grampus (VINEGAROONS aka WHIP SCORPIONS)
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
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.
Customer Reviews
Lovely, Fun, And Educational!
I learn so much while enjoying this podcast! Amanda and Kelly are delightful, and I love the bug talk plus all of their fun tangents. I love listening while I'm painting with watercolors or doing dishes. Thank you for adding an amusing and smart soundtrack to my art projects and chores!
A chill way to learn about nature
The hosts are an odd couple of sorts, one a loud, high energy animated artist, the other a cool and collected scientific voice. They present a fun way to learn about bugs and nature in general.
Embrace your nerd!
Did you know some mothers have an organ in their belly that counteracts the sonic radar of bats? Or that ladybugs are more heavily regulated in food production because their secretions are kind of bitter?
Probably my new favorite podcast.