Bugs Need Heroes Podcast
@bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
A podcast illustrating the inspiring abilities of insects! Each episode an artist and entomologist create a new bug-themed superhero.
www.bugsneedheroes.com or wherever you get your podcasts!
www.bugsneedheroes.com or wherever you get your podcasts!
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
Bug discussion begins around 9:00
#entomology
February 9, 2026 at 7:25 PM
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
Bug discussion begins around 9:00
#entomology
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.
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
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.
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
Bug discussion begins around 7:10
December 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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
Bug discussion begins around 7:10
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.
December 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
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.
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.
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
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.
December 14, 2025 at 11:40 PM
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
Bug discussion begins around 10:05
December 1, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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
Bug discussion begins around 10:05
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.
Thank you, Kevin Wiener, for the great photo.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
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.
Thank you, Kevin Wiener, for the great photo.
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss long-horn beetles. Tangents include forest creatures, mimicry, and television's Survivor.
#entomology #sciencepodcast #biologypodcast
#entomology #sciencepodcast #biologypodcast
November 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss long-horn beetles. Tangents include forest creatures, mimicry, and television's Survivor.
#entomology #sciencepodcast #biologypodcast
#entomology #sciencepodcast #biologypodcast
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
Image free from VistaCreate
#sciencepodcast #entomology #stinkbug #shieldbug #scicomm #ecology #entomologist #ecologist
November 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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
Image free from VistaCreate
#sciencepodcast #entomology #stinkbug #shieldbug #scicomm #ecology #entomologist #ecologist
This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss house centipedes. They are so fast! And so cute?! We learn a lot about these common domestic bugs, which are definitely not insects. Tangents include isopods, cats, Survivor, and piles of leaves (leave them!)
Bug discussion begins around 5:15
#entomology
Bug discussion begins around 5:15
#entomology
October 29, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss house centipedes. They are so fast! And so cute?! We learn a lot about these common domestic bugs, which are definitely not insects. Tangents include isopods, cats, Survivor, and piles of leaves (leave them!)
Bug discussion begins around 5:15
#entomology
Bug discussion begins around 5:15
#entomology
We recorded an episode about house centipedes yesterday and loved answering listener questions! So we'll try to keep that theme up.
We're on to longhorn beetles! Please share your questions and comments here, or shoot us an e-mail. Thank you for your continued support!
We're on to longhorn beetles! Please share your questions and comments here, or shoot us an e-mail. Thank you for your continued support!
October 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
We recorded an episode about house centipedes yesterday and loved answering listener questions! So we'll try to keep that theme up.
We're on to longhorn beetles! Please share your questions and comments here, or shoot us an e-mail. Thank you for your continued support!
We're on to longhorn beetles! Please share your questions and comments here, or shoot us an e-mail. Thank you for your continued support!
Kelly and Amanda discuss the rove beetle Ocypus olens (and a similar species in New Zealand). Tangents include cats, Bobby's World, and DC Comic's Gentleman Ghost and other Victorian spookyisms.
Bug discussion begins around 10:40
Bug discussion begins around 10:40
October 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Kelly and Amanda discuss the rove beetle Ocypus olens (and a similar species in New Zealand). Tangents include cats, Bobby's World, and DC Comic's Gentleman Ghost and other Victorian spookyisms.
Bug discussion begins around 10:40
Bug discussion begins around 10:40
Coming up, an episode about house centipedes (thanks to listener Laura for the request).
Send your house centipede questions here or via e-mail at [email protected]! Let us know if you'd like us to read them on the podcast or keep it anonymous.
Art by FreeDesignFlie
Send your house centipede questions here or via e-mail at [email protected]! Let us know if you'd like us to read them on the podcast or keep it anonymous.
Art by FreeDesignFlie
October 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Coming up, an episode about house centipedes (thanks to listener Laura for the request).
Send your house centipede questions here or via e-mail at [email protected]! Let us know if you'd like us to read them on the podcast or keep it anonymous.
Art by FreeDesignFlie
Send your house centipede questions here or via e-mail at [email protected]! Let us know if you'd like us to read them on the podcast or keep it anonymous.
Art by FreeDesignFlie
Amanda leads an episode about the history of silkworms and how they changed the world!
Topic discussion begins around 7:10
Silk moth creative commons Wikipedia.
#silkmoth #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #
Topic discussion begins around 7:10
Silk moth creative commons Wikipedia.
#silkmoth #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #
September 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Amanda leads an episode about the history of silkworms and how they changed the world!
Topic discussion begins around 7:10
Silk moth creative commons Wikipedia.
#silkmoth #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #
Topic discussion begins around 7:10
Silk moth creative commons Wikipedia.
#silkmoth #entomology #sciencepodcast #scicomm #
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss twisted-wing insects (Strepsiptera) with Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy an assistant professor at the University of Rochester and a Levinson/Shapiro faculty scholar. @avispatica.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss twisted-wing insects (Strepsiptera) with Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy an assistant professor at the University of Rochester and a Levinson/Shapiro faculty scholar. @avispatica.bsky.social
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss mud daubers. These wasps use mud to build their nests and fill those nests with paralyzed spiders, which is a very sexy behavior. Tangents include dinosaurs, the morals of relative television, Earthworm Jim, Amanda's crochet tips.
Bug discussion begins at 5:20
Bug discussion begins at 5:20
September 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss mud daubers. These wasps use mud to build their nests and fill those nests with paralyzed spiders, which is a very sexy behavior. Tangents include dinosaurs, the morals of relative television, Earthworm Jim, Amanda's crochet tips.
Bug discussion begins at 5:20
Bug discussion begins at 5:20
This episode we are joined by Dr Scott Kight once again to talk about Belostomatidae. We initially planned to do this topic around Father's Day for reasons that will become apparent. Tangents include bears, science teachers, and that Coldplay concert.
Photo attributed to Frank Vassen from Wikipedia
Photo attributed to Frank Vassen from Wikipedia
August 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
This episode we are joined by Dr Scott Kight once again to talk about Belostomatidae. We initially planned to do this topic around Father's Day for reasons that will become apparent. Tangents include bears, science teachers, and that Coldplay concert.
Photo attributed to Frank Vassen from Wikipedia
Photo attributed to Frank Vassen from Wikipedia
New episode! X-Mantis (Manitdae)! This episode contains discussion of sexual cannibalism as we discuss the classic mantis and how they are centaurs. Tangents include eagles, ninjas, and Amanda's art tips. #entomology #scicomm #sciencepodcast
July 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
New episode! X-Mantis (Manitdae)! This episode contains discussion of sexual cannibalism as we discuss the classic mantis and how they are centaurs. Tangents include eagles, ninjas, and Amanda's art tips. #entomology #scicomm #sciencepodcast
Kelly & Amanda continue wet bug summer with another true bug. These hemipterans have conquered the water surface of ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even the open ocean. Tangents include pokemon, New Jersey, doctor parties, mantis shrimps and some of our past chars. Amanda almost eats a spider.
June 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Kelly & Amanda continue wet bug summer with another true bug. These hemipterans have conquered the water surface of ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even the open ocean. Tangents include pokemon, New Jersey, doctor parties, mantis shrimps and some of our past chars. Amanda almost eats a spider.
While most are beneficial, there is a deadly exception! Tangents include Naruto ninjas, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Detective Comics Comics' character Ambush Bug.
Photos by our buddy Kevin Wiener
Photos by our buddy Kevin Wiener
June 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
While most are beneficial, there is a deadly exception! Tangents include Naruto ninjas, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Detective Comics Comics' character Ambush Bug.
Photos by our buddy Kevin Wiener
Photos by our buddy Kevin Wiener
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. ⬇️
June 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
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. ⬇️
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. #scicomm #sciencepodcast #entomology
May 26, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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. #scicomm #sciencepodcast #entomology
Kelly has now become Dr Kelly @fillsyourniche.bsky.social . 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.
May 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Kelly has now become Dr Kelly @fillsyourniche.bsky.social . 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.
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: mosquitoes, hornworms, pets, and jumping spiders! Check out how cute her dog Pfeffer is!
Follow Emily here on Blue Sky @miteymle.bsky.social
Follow Emily here on Blue Sky @miteymle.bsky.social
February 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
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: mosquitoes, hornworms, pets, and jumping spiders! Check out how cute her dog Pfeffer is!
Follow Emily here on Blue Sky @miteymle.bsky.social
Follow Emily here on Blue Sky @miteymle.bsky.social