61 episodes
Bugs Need Heroes BugsNeedHeroes
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- Science
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4.9 • 19 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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The Model Organism (HORNWORMS aka HAWKMOTHS)
It's NATIONAL MOTH WEEK! We are celebrating by discussing a really hefty bug. A real chonker. There are over 1400 species of Sphingidae moths, and they start as juicy, mouthwatering caterpillars. It is a bug that Amanda has met and you may find in your garden on your tomatoes! We discuss some of their impressive adaptations as we create a character inspired by them. Tangents include ugly babies, summer fun, and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool.
Learn how to attract moths and count them for science! https://nationalmothweek.org/mothing-101/
Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-model-organism
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.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography. -
Flonase Technicolor (FIREFLIES)
Amanda tries (and fails) to resist singing the hit single from 2009 by Owl City as we talk about the Lampyridae family of beetles. They have many names, all of them deceptive. They are not flies, they do not produce heat or lightning, and they are not worms, but they are very buggy. Tangents include the book/film adaptation Where'd You Go Bernadette, the Fey, and several other things that Producer Derek has forgotten because he had to cut so much (future bonus episode?)
Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/flonase-technicolor
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.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography. -
Painbow (MANTIS SHRIMP w/ Just The Zoo of Us)
It's a rambunctious episode as Just the Zoo of Us Podcast host Ellen Weatherford joins us to settle a debate: are shrimps bugs? Are mantis shrimps shrimps? We discuss how they may or may not be turning into crabs and what they might think of sunsets. Tangents include Godzilla, weddings, pet store stories, internet memes, Sailor Moon and anime translations.
Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-painbow
Also Mentioned in This Episode:
Ellen Weatherford's podcast Just the Zoo of Us
Episode 101 (Mantis Shrimp with Alice Chou) of Just the Zoo of Us
Episode 19 (Quokka and Peacock Mantis Shrimp) of Just the Zoo of Us
Episode 226 (Cicadas with Nick VanAcker) of Just the Zoo of Us
Episode 91 (Periodical Cicadas and Portuguese Man of War) of Just the Zoo of Us
RadioLab "Colors" episode
The Oatmeal: "Why the Mantis Shrimp is My New Favorite Animal"
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. -
BONUS: Don't freak out about Joro Spiders
Remain calm.
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. -
The Dash (TIGER BEETLES)
This week Kelly and Amanda talk about an extremely buggy bug. Is this best bug? Maybe! Tangents include why chess sucks, scrub jays, and spoilers for The Menu.
Kelly's Field Notes for this episode: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-dash
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. -
Marquis de Beetle (BLISTER BEETLES)
Content Warning for the episode: discussion of adult topics, including sexual assault and BDSM.
This week Amanda and Kelly discuss a weird group of beetles and its unusual life history and its role in history as a supposed aphrodisiac. Although we mostly focus on the Oil Beetles (Meloe genus), we also talk about some other blister beetles including spanish fly (Lytta vesicatoria). Tangents include juicy spiders, the aristocracy, Strong Bad, and historical dress.
Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/marquis-de-beetle
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.
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