Bugs Need Heroes

The Assassins (ASSASSIN BUGS)

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. While most are beneficial, there is a deadly exception! Tangents include Naruto ninjas, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Detective Comics Comics' character Ambush Bug. 
 
Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-assassins
 
This Podcast Will Kill You episode about Chagas Disease: https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com/2021/09/07/episode-81-chagas-disease-the-reverse-triple-discovery/
 
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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.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.

The One-trick Magician (WATER SCAVENGER BEETLE)

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.
VIDEO OF THE ESCAPE: https://youtu.be/_W0UJD_i3Mo
 
Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/one-trick-magician
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some assistance from a few cats. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Dr Drosophila (FRUIT FLIES)

Kelly has now become Dr Kelly. 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.Dr Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/dr-drosophila
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 and some hinderance from a few cats. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Dr Pause

We are taking a break while Kelly mounts her defense.

Bubble Bug(True)

Finally, a bug Amanda recognizes! Fortunately, she doesn't know anything about them still so we can have an episode all about spittlebugs (aka froghoppers) and what makes them a true bug. Tangents include the fabric arts, little kid germs, and the grief of aging (as relayed by Bluey).
 
Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bubble-bug
 
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some hinderance from a few cats. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Lil Dudes Insect Academy

This time we are joined by Bradon Coy of Lil Dudes Insect Academy to discuss his programs, eusocial insects (particularly Argentine Ants), and our favorite bug movies.Lil' Dudes Insect Academy websiteLil Dudes Insect Academy on Youtube
Please check out our reading lists and feel free to recommend other books. We'll make Kelly read them before putting them on the list. The lists are not connected to Amazon or anything so we make no money off of them.
Adult list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/189312.Bugs_Need_Heroes_Recommended_Reading
Kid's list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/189303.Bug_Books_For_Kids
Happy reading!
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some assistance from Chelsey Bawden and a few cats. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Heckgrammite (DOBSONFLIES)

This week Kelly and Amanda talk about an insect that is a fly in name only. These aquatic insects are know for their large size and fierce appearance. These Tangents include peeing in the woods, gnats, and cats (always).
 
Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/heckgrammite
 
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
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Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some assistance from Chelsey Bawden and a few cats. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Mighty Emily (PHORETIC MITES with Dr Emily Durkin)

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 include mosquitoes, hornworms, and pets --including pet jumping spiders!
 
Emily Durkin's website is here!You can follow Emily on Bluesky!
 
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with ZERO assistance from Camazotz Conrad. 
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

The Sodanaut (BRINE FLIES)

Check out this page from the Mono Lake Committee to see images discussed in this episode.
 
This episode Kelly and Amanda discuss a strange family of flies that live in liquids that would kill other animals. There are around 130 genera described in Ephydridae, but we mostly focus on two species endemic to California which live in the La Brea Tar Pits and Mono Lake. Tangents include the musical Wicked, bears, Christmas, Robin Hood, and deaths at National Parks.
 
Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/sodanaut
 
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
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.

Bug Hero: Christy Bills (MUSEUM COLLECTIONS)

We talk to Christy Bills of the Natural History Museum of Utah about invertebrate collections, fireflies, and legacies.
 
Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with some assistance from Chelsey Bawden
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.