Can I Bug You?

UC Riverside
  • 4.9 (15)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

A twice-monthly deep dive into the sometimes creepy but mostly fascinating world of insects with one of the world's foremost experts on the topic, UC Riverside entomologist Dr. Doug Yanega.

  1. Ep. 42: The gifts of love

    2D AGO

    Ep. 42: The gifts of love

    Forget roses and chocolates. Some insects bring pebbles wrapped in silk and hope for the best. This Valentine’s Day episode of Can I Bug You? dives into some of the most surprising courtship rituals in the insect world.

    29 min
  2. Ep. 41: Roachbots

    JAN 26

    Ep. 41: Roachbots

    Defense contractors are developing "cutting-edge" technologies like "spy cockroaches" to reinvent warfare. But roachbots aren't a new idea. They had a moment in a 1997 blockbuster, The Fifth Element. If they didn't work out then, why would they work now? Listen in to find out if the current crop of roachbot hopefuls are likely to succeed.

    30 min
  3. Ep. 40 - Insects are wildlife, too

    JAN 13

    Ep. 40 - Insects are wildlife, too

    In our first episode of 2026, we explore the important role that genetics play in conserving insect species about to blink out of existence. With special guests, UCR entomologists Hollis Woodard and Zachary Macdonald.

    31 min
  4. Ep. 39: The end is nigh?

    11/24/2025

    Ep. 39: The end is nigh?

    So many insect species are on the brink. What will it take to get them on the federally endangered species list for legal protections, alongside so many creatures with spines? UCR entomologists Zachary MacDonald and Hollis Woodard break down what's involved.

    30 min
  5. Ep. 38: The wide world of webs

    11/10/2025

    Ep. 38: The wide world of webs

    Spiders get all the credit for spinning webs, but they’re hardly the only arthropods weaving silk. In this episode, we untangle stories of web-making mites, moths, butterflies, and even glow-in-the-dark flies, revealing how silk making is a bigger story and sometimes, stranger than fiction.

    30 min
  6. Ep. 37: Minecraft: the secret lives of leafminers

    09/29/2025

    Ep. 37: Minecraft: the secret lives of leafminers

    Leafminers tunnel between the outer layers of leaves, leaving silvery trails and agricultural chaos in their wake. Guest entomologist Alejandra Rocha joins the show to talk ancient insect graffiti, modern crop threats, and the surprisingly artistic evidence of Earth’s oldest infestation.

    31 min
  7. Ep. 36: Tails of ice and fire

    08/25/2025

    Ep. 36: Tails of ice and fire

    As the western U.S. bakes under record heat, some insects are showing us how to thrive where most life wilts. From fire-chasing beetles to poison-munching caterpillars, meet the bugs built for extremes.

    30 min
  8. Ep. 35: Alien vs. predator

    08/11/2025

    Ep. 35: Alien vs. predator

    It's Halloween in August. In this episode we focus on the difference between parasites, parasitoids, and outright predators, and give plenty of possibly creepy examples of each. Cover image of bombardier beetle by Reiner Richter.

    31 min
See All (42)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A twice-monthly deep dive into the sometimes creepy but mostly fascinating world of insects with one of the world's foremost experts on the topic, UC Riverside entomologist Dr. Doug Yanega.

Information

  • Creator
    UC Riverside
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © UC Riverside
  • Show Website
    Can I Bug You?

You Might Also Like