Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

The Xerces Society
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  • NATURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of invertebrates and discover how to help these extraordinary animals. The Xerces Society is a nationwide non-profit organization that works to conserve invertebrates and their habitats. For more information go to xerces.org.

  1. Monarch Conservation: Tracking Migration with Rice-Sized Technology

    FEB 4

    Monarch Conservation: Tracking Migration with Rice-Sized Technology

    The monarch butterfly is popular and currently in the news a lot. You might think that we know all there is to know about it, but there are many mysteries remaining, particularly about their migration and how they use their habitat. This may be more so for the western population that overwinters in California. Radio tracking has long been used for studying the movement and habitat use of bigger animals. Advances in this technology mean it is emerging as a tool that can provide scientists with...

    41 min
  2. Insects in the Balance: Why Monitoring Matters

    JAN 21

    Insects in the Balance: Why Monitoring Matters

    Bees, butterflies, beetles — populations of almost any group of insects you can name seem to be falling. But how do we know they are falling, how can we find out how well insects are doing? Monitoring is an essential tool for understanding the abundance and distribution of species, as well as how they respond to conservation efforts. To explore this further, we are talking with Matt Forister, professor of biology and insect ecology in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. ...

    42 min
  3. The Power of Policy: Insect Protection Through State Authority

    JAN 7

    The Power of Policy: Insect Protection Through State Authority

    In one of our first episodes we spoke with Sarina Jepsen, the director of our Endangered Species team, about what it means for a species to be federally listed, specifically through the Endangered Species Act. However, species can also be listed through individual states, but not all states are the same, and some states don’t have legislation to protect insects. It is an interesting story! Joining us to talk about the importance of a state’s authority to protect insects are Kevin Burls and R...

    36 min
  4. The Secret Lives of San Diego Zoo Insects

    12/17/2024

    The Secret Lives of San Diego Zoo Insects

    Many of us likely have childhood memories of a zoo visit: gibbons swinging above us, lions pacing, a polar bear taking a plunge. Zoos also can play an important role in conservation, particularly for insects. One example is the work done at the San Diego Zoo to help invertebrates by solving mysteries about their habitat and life cycle needs, in some cases bringing back species on the brink of extinction. Joining us to talk about this work is Paige Howorth. Paige leads the Entomology Departme...

    42 min
  5. Buzzing Together: The Bumble Bee Atlas and the Power of Community Science

    12/03/2024

    Buzzing Together: The Bumble Bee Atlas and the Power of Community Science

    Community science is critical to conservation efforts and the Bumble Bee Atlas is no exception. Volunteers across the country have contributed to the Atlas program through bumble bee surveys, providing crucial information on bumble bee abundance and distribution. This information informs conservation efforts and makes a real difference. To tell us more about the Bumble Bee Atlas are two of our newest Atlas coordinators, Amy Dolan and Michelle Toshack. Between them they cover much of the Rocky...

    31 min
  6. Dragonflies and Damselflies: A Life's Journey from Water to the Sky

    11/19/2024

    Dragonflies and Damselflies: A Life's Journey from Water to the Sky

    When we see a dragonfly, we normally see adults, which are capable of impressive aerobatics and have astonishing eyesight. Yet these fearsome aerial predators began life underwater, and when they undergo the transformation from nymph to adult they also change from water to air. Dragonflies truly are amazing! Joining us to talk about these incredible animals is Dr. Jessica Ware from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where she is an Associate Curator and the current Divi...

    45 min

  7. 11/05/2024

    Revival of the Fender's Blue Butterfly: A Conservation Story

    We all love a success story and what better tale to tell than the one about the Fender’s blue? Once thought extinct, this butterfly was rediscovered 35 years ago, since when it has made a comeback thanks to hard work by dedicated scientists, land owners, agency staff, and many others. To tell us this story of hope, we are joined today by two people whose long-time collaboration has been central to this success. Cheryl Schultz is a Professor at Washington State University in Vancouver, where s...

    46 min

  8. 10/15/2024

    Mysteries of the Moth: More Than Meets the Eye

    Moths are largely creatures of the night, which means they may not get as much publicity as their day-flying relative, butterflies. Moths are more diverse than butterflies, probably more abundant, and most certainly play a key role in the natural world. Honestly, moths are some of the coolest insects and we are excited to highlight them in today’s episode. Joining us to talk about moths is Dr. David Wagner, an entomologist and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of...

    44 min
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Join us as we explore the fascinating world of invertebrates and discover how to help these extraordinary animals. The Xerces Society is a nationwide non-profit organization that works to conserve invertebrates and their habitats. For more information go to xerces.org.

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