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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 5h

Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about springtails, which are not insects but are still very bugs. They are their own thing and they are a lot. Bug discussion begins at 8:25 Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com #springtails #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #springtail

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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 · 21/09/2026

That's awesome. Thank you so much for the love!

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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

This species is nocturnal and spends its day underneath rocks, fallen logs, and other dark spaces. They are active hunters, they do not spin webs. They are also not aggressive, despite those intimidating fangs.

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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

Tiny larvae hijack plant chemistry and create structures called galls. Inside one tiny gall you might find: a midge larva, parasitoid wasps attacking it, fungi and microbes competing. Maybe predators waiting outside for them to emerge. A gall is an entire food web hidden inside a bump on a leaf.

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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

Once the spiderlings are ready to leave (out of fat reserves) they'll balloonaway by producing strands of silk into the air to catch a breeze, then they start their own lives. Females can live for a few years and have several broods whereas males only live about a year.

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

Generally, Wolf spiders are pretty docile towards humans, but females with an egg sac or young will be very aggressive. So please leave them alone or catch them gently in a cup to release outside of your home.

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

If the mother is threatened by a predator (or human) the spiderlings will disperse to save themselves and if she survives she will search for them and gather up as many as possible onto her back. Please don't do this to a Wolf spider, it's very stressful on them and their young.

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

They will stay with her for a few days so she can protect them, living off their fat reserves and drinking water. When they are thirsty she'll dip a leg into the water so they can crawl down for a drink. Wolf spiders lean their heads down into small puddles to drink.

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

Once they are out she throws a few loose web strands on her back for them to hold onto along with the fur on her back, then they climb up and interlock legs so they won't fall off while hitching a ride Some have a few and other mothers are pretty loaded up.

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

Females lay between 100 - 300 eggs (depending on species and nutrient availability) and then wrap them up into a sac. She then carries this sac around on her spinnerets. When the spiderlings are about to hatch she helps by gently opening the sac to let them emerge.

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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

Image copyrights: Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova on Flickr, Neild AFE, Nakahara S, Zacca T, Fratello S, Lamas G, Le Crom J-F, Dolibaina DR, Dias FMS, Casagrande MM, Mielke OHH, Espeland M from their journal article, and Riedel from their journal article.

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

The dragonfly shown is Acisoma attenboroughi, the butterfly is Euptychia attenboroughi, and the weevil is Trigonopterus attenboroughi. There are so many bugs named after him!

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

David Attenborrough has been a huge inspiration to our small team of bug nerds. We are grateful for his wonderful documentaries and spreading an appreciation for all life on this beautiful planet. May he continue to live a long and healthy life.

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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

If you ever want to talk beetles on the podcast let us know! We love guest experts. Shoot us an email at bugsneedheroes@gmail.com

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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

Producer Derek's video of leafcutter ants in action.

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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

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/buzzo... Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.beebabette Patreon: www.patreon.com/cw/TheBeeBab... ResearchGate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Kit-... Youtube: www.youtube.com/@TheBeeBabette

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

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!

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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

Color coming later, Amanda has been sick! Kelly's Field Notes: www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bri... Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Photo by PJC&Co, CC BY-SA 3.0, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-...

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Bringing Home A Baby Butterfly

Kelly’s Field Notes Common Name: Large blue butterfly Order: Lepidoptera Family: Lycaenidae Genus: Phengaris Species: arion Description: Larvae (caterpillar): Upon hatching, caterpillars ...

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

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.Tangents: Valentine's Day, overalls, ska. Bug discussion begins at 10:45

bugsneedheroes.com

Bringing Home A Baby Butterfly

Kelly’s Field Notes Common Name: Large blue butterfly Order: Lepidoptera Family: Lycaenidae Genus: Phengaris Species: arion Description: Larvae (caterpillar): Upon hatching, caterpillars ...

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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

Tangents include carnivorous deer, ecological niches, and hit musicals. Bug discussion begins around 12:00

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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

Sorry for the not colored in hero, your holidays are a busy time! We'll update with colors.

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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

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.

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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

Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/spi... Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHe...

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Spider Rider

Kelly’s Field Notes Common Name: Mantisfly, Mantidfly, Mantid lacewing, Mantispid Order: Neuroptera Family: Mantispidae Genus: There are many genera of Mantisfly, I have been unable to pin down a ...

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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 · 21/11/2025

Never say never! We might do a listener favorite bugs episode some day.

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Bugs Need Heroes Podcast @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Thanks for letting us entertain while you clean! 🐜❤️

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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 · 19/11/2025

Wow, it's beautiful! We do have them in the US but they are an invasive species here.

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