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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about click beetles. These classic beetles deserve a classic superhero look. Tangents include Disney, dinosaurs, and social media. Bug discussion begins around 11:00 Thank you to listener Maria for this suggestion! Send us questions/suggestions BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Producer Derek and Amanda had a great time at Rose City Comic Con with our good buddy Ellen from Just the Zoo of Us. Dr Mike Glynn and Dr Caitlyn Antes were also part of the super powers of cats panel talk! We love Rose City! Producer Derek also found a coin purse that looks just like Desi.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Amanda and Kelly share their thoughts about the 1998 Disney/Pixar movie A Bug's Life.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk discuss the order Siphonaptera. They talk about all the things fleas are famous for: jumping on cats, giving rats the plague, and singing about California. Tangents include Elvira, circuses, and orcas. Dog flea image wellcomecollection.org/works/py98ae7x CC-BY-4.0

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The woodlouse spider (Disdera crocata) is not native to the Americas. It was introduced with its prey, woodlice (terrestrial isopods) from Europe. Check out those really thick fangs. Nature's can opener for armored isopods. #spider #woodlousespider

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This episode we are joined by Joey Santore of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't. This episode has cursing!

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This gall midge landed on Kelly yesterday while she was grilling. Gall midges are very small 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in), I was surprised my phone camera could focus on it. They are so delicate, it was hard to get a photo because the wind was knocking it around. #diptera #entomology #insectphotography

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to one of the most hard working mama's in the animal kingdom. Wolf spiders! This Kelly's lady Olga, a Carolina wolf spider. She was part of her MS research years ago. #wolfspiders #spiders #mothersday

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Happy 100th birthday to the incredible Sir David Attenborough. He has over 50 species of plants and animals named after him! And many are bugs.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

The Poultry P.I. (CLOWN BEETLES) Send in the clown beetles! Amanda thinks they are the most beetle you can be! Dr Kelly Z thinks they are cute! This episode is not for the coulrophobic! Tangents include Jason Bateman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and isopods! Bug discussion around 9:30 #beetles

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Attaantium (LEAFCUTTER ANTS) 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: www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/att... Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

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?

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

There're 7 basic plots: Overcoming a monster, Rags to riches, Voyage, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth, & a Quest. The Very Hungry Caterpillar = all 7. Eric Carl said it's "a book of hope..about growing up, how scary it is, but how you can fly into the world with your talents." No, it's a book of conquest.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

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 #entomology

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

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 Jessica Park but we like it.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

We take another dip into our spider-verse with a discussion of spitting spiders & spider sociality. Tangents include parenting & 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

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Kelly & Joe didn't feel like putting a tree up this year so Kelly decided to pile gifts around this cat bed monstrosity. Finn is considering whether or not this is his jam. The ornaments are attached with one tiny strip of Velcro so we anticipate seeing them all over the house in the days to come.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

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.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

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

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

We're recording this weekend and the topic is spitting spiders! There's also been some news about social spiders Kelly's going to talk about so if you have social spider questions send those over too! Thank you, Kevin Wiener, for the great photo.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

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

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Send us your stink bug questions! You might also call them shield bugs. Kelly will answer your questions during the episode. :) Image free from VistaCreate #sciencepodcast #entomology #stinkbug #shieldbug #scicomm #ecology #entomologist #ecologist

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Friend of the pod Dr. Ped and I are starting a YouTube series where we explore the biology of movies. Our first video is about the new Frankenstein movie. We'e working out the issues but excited to post more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4hU... #scicomm #frankenstein #scienceyoutube

youtube.com

2 Biologists Review Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein #frankenstein #guillermodeltoro #biology

YouTube video by Nerdy Naturalists

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

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 #entomology

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

We recorded an episode about house centipedes yesterday and loved answering listener questions! So we'll try to keep that theme up. We're on to longhorn beetles! Please share your questions and comments here, or shoot us an e-mail. Thank you for your continued support!

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

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

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Coming up, an episode about house centipedes (thanks to listener Laura for the request). Send your house centipede questions here or via e-mail at bugsneedheroes@gmail.com! Let us know if you'd like us to read them on the podcast or keep it anonymous. Art by FreeDesignFlie

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Amanda leads an episode about the history of silkworms and how they changed the world! Topic discussion begins around 7:10 Silk moth creative commons Wikipedia. #silkmoth #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

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 scholar. @avispatica.bsky.social

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

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, Amanda's crochet tips. Bug discussion begins at 5:20

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

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. Photo attributed to Frank Vassen from Wikipedia

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

We are always looking for entomologists, researchers, curators, etc. to come on the podcast! Even bug-adjacent (we've covered bats and cats before) if you are passionate about you study critter send us an e-mail at bugsneedheroes@gmail.com to come chat on the pod!

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

New episode! X-Mantis (Manitdae)! 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. #entomology #scicomm #sciencepodcast

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Kelly & Amanda continue wet bug summer with another true bug. These hemipterans have conquered the water surface of ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even the open ocean. Tangents include pokemon, New Jersey, doctor parties, mantis shrimps and some of our past chars. Amanda almost eats a spider.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

This episode we discuss the #Reduviidae family, colloquially known as assassin bugs. There are many different kinds and all of them are cunning hunters that turn their prey into Capri Suns and some turn them into fashion. ⬇️

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

This week's episode is about a fairly unremarkable aquatic beetle. Tangents include AI generated images, Chris Angel, Hugh Jackman, and horror novels. Includes spoilers for The Prestige. #scicomm #sciencepodcast #entomology

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Check out our very own co-host Kelly on Bradon's entomology education podcast Lil Dudes Insect Academy!

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Amanda and Kelly loved this cross-pollination so much! Thanks for having them on, it was a total blast (and we all look adorable)!

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Kelly has now become Dr Kelly @fillsyourniche.bsky.social . Much of the episode is about the process of earning a doctorate. The rest of the episode is devoted to discussion of fruit flies, art history, swords, and friend of the pod, Dr Ped.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

This episode we are joined by another bug hero: Dr Emily Durkin! We talk about her research looking at tiny mites that ride around on fruit flies. Tangents: mosquitoes, hornworms, pets, and jumping spiders! Check out how cute her dog Pfeffer is! Follow Emily here on Blue Sky @miteymle.bsky.social

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

This time we are joined by Ben Knowlton and Zillah Smith of There Will Be Bugs Podcast to talk about one of their favorite bugs, the American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus). These beetles have it all: battles, mites, an endangered species listing. But most importantly they have each other.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Kelly and Producer Derek are back from the ESA conference in Pheonix and Kelly shares some stories. Not a bug, but the evolutionary arms race between scorpions and their predators has created a truly terrific terror. Tangents: butterflies,Disney, and vikings. (Image credit: Minden Pictures/Alamy)

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

This is an episode we banked during the summer. Kelly and Amanda discuss velvet ants, which are not actually ants at all. And the Bee-Team lore expands ever onward! Tangents include Zendaya at the Met Gala, Ultraman, and anime villains. #scicomm #sciencepodcast #entomology #entomologypodcast

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Reposted by Bugs Need Heroes Podcast

Dr. Kelly I. Zimmerman @fillsyourniche.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Check out our podcast episode on the Bugs Need Heroes podcast all about the peppered moth and industrial melanism! HOT SCIENTIST GOSSIP included. The pod Blue Sky is @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social and you can listen everywhere you get podcasts, including YouTube. #scicomm #podcast #swifties

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Kelly and Producer Derek had a great time at #EntSoc24 conference in Phoenix! We talked to a lot of folks about coming on the pod to talk about their favorite bugs! Please reach out if you'd like to be on. #entomology #scicomm #podcast

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

Producer Derek dressed up as a mantis for Halloween and alongside his bug-themed kitties! Zotz the butterfly and Rotunda as a bee who is totally over it. #catsofbluesky #cats #halloween

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 28/10/2024

This time we are joined by our friend Dr Mike Glynn to talk about cats for our Halloween episode. Lots of stories of our dear pets both current and past. A few try to join the podcast! Pictured below is Derek's baby Rotunda, ready for Halloween! #scicomm #cats #podcast #sciencepodcast #pets

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 14/10/2024

We are back from hiatus and you can really tell with this episode. Kelly and Amanda get all the wiggles out with this very wiggly bug. This episode is more explicit than usual with a very unusual critter. Images found on iNaturalist of O. viridimaculatus, photo by Carey Knox, CC0 1.0 Universal

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 13/08/2024

This week we are joined once again by Kevin Wiener of All Bugs Go To Kevin. Kevin has a deep love for #brownrecluse and hopes to dispel some of the fear around this significant arachnid. Tangents include grief, voice notes, and cats. And a special life update from Kevin at the end of the episode.

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