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PODCAST

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

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.

science nature

All Episodes

37:36

The Beauty of Less: Xeriscaping for Pollinators

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/04/07

Xeriscaping is an important tool to conserve water and creates resiliency in the face of climate change, among other benefits. In this episode, we are going to explore the benefits of xeriscaping, how to do it, and how it can impact the conservation of insects. Joining us to dive into this topic is Kailtin Haase, Xerces Pollinator Conservation Specialist in the Southwest. Kaitlin works to create climate-resilient, connected pollinator habitat in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She collaborates wit...

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41:31

Speedy, Hairy, and Harmless: Solifuges

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/03/17

In this episode, we are going to explore the world of arachnids, but not the spiders you likely imagined after I said that. Nor ticks, nor mites, nor scorpions. No, today we are focusing on solifuges. “Soli-what?” you may be thinking. Joining us to explain more is Dr. Paula Cushing. Paula works at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado, where she is the senior curator of invertebrate zoology. She is an evolutionary biologist who studies evolutionary patterns and processes in ara...

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35:33

Buying Bee Safe Plants: How to keep pesticides out of...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/03/03

There may be a hidden danger lurking in the plants you purchase. Many plants sold at stores and nurseries, even native plants, are pre-treated with pesticides. So while trying to provide habitat for pollinators, you could be exposing them to chemicals. How do you know if plants have been treated with pesticides? Where can you find plants that haven’t been treated? --- Photo Credit: Kailee Slusser Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.

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38:56

Where the Wind Blows: Does wind speed affect...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/02/17

**Correction: In this episode it states that the number of western monarchs in 2023 was 9,000 total. This was the total number for 2024. Monarch butterflies are known as long-distance travelers, flying hundreds or thousands of miles from summer breeding areas to overwintering sites. These sites, although small, are essential for the survival of monarchs. Monarch butterflies across the western United States and into British Columbia migrate to California, where they shelter in tree groves scat...

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37:18

Lessons from a Pollinator Gardener

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/02/03

There are countless ways to support the invertebrates we care about, and creating habitat in your own backyard or community is one we’ve often discussed. Today, we’ll explore real-world examples—what works, what doesn’t, and the exciting discoveries made along the way. Joining us to talk about her very own yard is Jennifer Hopwood. Jennifer is a Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist with Xerces, providing resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and r...

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41:36

Making the Invisible Visible: Why Science...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/01/20

Illustration is a powerful and important tool for conservation, bringing science to life and presenting complex information in an engaging format. In this episode, we are continuing our exploration of the role of art in science communication and research with two other talented artists, Maya Hutagalung and Dr. Madison Sankovitz. Rachel and I have had the good fortune to work with them both over the last few months because they have been Science Illustration Interns here at the Xerces Society....

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38:25

Bring Back the Pollinators: Four Simple Steps to Save...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2026/01/06

For years now, there’s been a growing buzz—pun intended—about how to save our pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and so many other important species are struggling, but the good news is that each of us can make a big difference right in our own backyards. From planting native flowers to rethinking our use of pesticides, simple choices can transform any outdoor space into a thriving pollinator haven. In this episode, we’re diving into what it really takes to bring back the pollinators—and how you...

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37:57

Walls That Speak: Inspiring Conservation Through Art

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/12/16

When science and art meet they create a nexus where inspiration and education combine to create impactful outcomes. From illustrated ID guides to building-sized murals, art has been interwoven into science communications for thousands of years and its value has continued to persist. Xerces has harnessed the power of images and we are excited to explore this topic. In this episode, we are sitting down with Jane Kim and Thayer Walker, who founded Ink Dwell, an art studio that produces stunning...

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51:22

A Year in Invertebrate Conservation: Successes and...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/12/02

Over the past year, we’ve explored a diversity of invertebrates, the threats they face, and the ways we can help support them. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at invertebrate conservation—reflecting on this year’s successes and achievements, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. What victories can we celebrate, and which conservation efforts must continue? What obstacles do we, as invertebrate enthusiasts, still face? Most importantly, what actions can people take right now to m...

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29:45

Hidden in Plain Sight: Pesticide Contamination in...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/11/18

The State of the Butterflies in the United States project demonstrated that butterfly populations across the US are dramatically declining — they fell by more than 20% between the year 2000 and 2020. There are multiple causes, but one of them is the loss of caterpillar host plants. Getting more host plants into our neighborhoods and parks is essential — but what happens if those plants are contaminated by pesticides and they are toxic to the caterpillars that need them? To talk more about thi...

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27:19

Adaptations at Altitude: The Biology of Mountain Snails

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/11/04

Given the name of our podcast, it is no surprise that we talk a lot about bugs, but in this episode, we are stretching our invertebrate muscles and looking at a group of invertebrates that we haven’t considered before—mountain snails! To help us learn more about these fascinating animals is Dr. Lusha Tronstad. Lusha is the Invertebrate Zoology Program Manager for the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database at the University of Wyoming. The WNDD program is responsible for developing and maint...

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37:08

The Secret Lives of Bumble Bees: Nesting and...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/10/21

We’ve all heard the familiar buzz of a bumble bee. Their fuzzy bodies fly around looking for pollen and nectar. But where do bumble bees nest? Where do they spend the winter? And how can we support this part of their lifecycle? To talk with us about this topic is Genevieve Pugesek, Xerces Endangered Species Conservation Biologist. Jenny is one of the project managers of the Bumble Bee Atlas, a community science project aimed at tracking and conserving bumble bees. She works with Atlas program...

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44:30

The Salmonfly Project: Anglers, Insect Conservation,...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/10/07

Insects play a critical role in rivers, lakes, and streams, acting as a vital food source for many animals and maintaining the health of these freshwater ecosystems. A few of these insects include: mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. The bad news? They are in decline. The good news? There is something we can do about it. This is a new topic for us and one that we are excited to explore. Joining us to dive into the aquatic world are Jackson Birrell and James Frakes, co-founders of the Salmo...

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42:32

Bitter Nectar, Toxic Pollen: Pollinators and Plant...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/09/16

We’ve spent some time on this podcast discussing pollinators and their life histories but today we are taking a deeper dive into plant chemistry to better understand the relationship between pollinators and their floral resources. To help us explore this fascinating topic, is Leif Richardson, Xerces Endangered Species Conservation Biologist. Leif coordinates the California Bumble Bee Atlas project. His research focuses on the ecology, distribution, and declines of North American bumble bees. ...

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33:52

Leave the Leaves or Lose the Insects

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/09/02

Leave the leaves has become something of a rallying cry and discussion topic in recent years. When the weather starts to cool and leaves begin to fall, we’re presented with a valuable wildlife and gardening resource — but also something of a headache. Do I keep them all? Can I mulch them? Won’t they kill my lawn? What about pests? How do I keep my HOA happy? Joining us to take a deeper dive into a pile of leaves, how they help insects, and how to manage them is Max Ferlauto, state entomologis...

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43:53

Monarchs & Pesticides: Understanding the Impact,...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/08/19

In this episode, we will be taking a closer look at the monarch butterfly, but we won’t be talking about milkweed or nectar plants, or the migration and overwintering sites – at least, not directly. No, our focus is on pesticides and monarchs. Are pesticides a particular concern for monarch butterflies? What are the consequences of pesticide contamination to their habitat? What can we do to provide pesticide-free habitat? To answer these questions we welcome back Emily May, Agricultural Conse...

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39:35

Understanding Native Bee Populations: The State of...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/08/05

How are native bee species in the US doing in light of the major threats they are facing? What more do we need to know to protect them? There are over 3,600 species of native bees in the United States, but we only know the conservation status (i.e., how well they are doing) of about 20% of them. This makes it difficult to make decisions about how to prioritize bee conservation. Joining us to discuss this problem is Saff Killingsworth, Xerces Endangered Species Conservation Biologist. Sa...

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31:02

The Living Fence: Hedgerows as Havens for Insects

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/07/15

Co-host Matthew Shepherd came from Britain, a country known for its hedgerows. He grew up surrounded by hedges, sometimes many centuries old, crisscrossing the countryside. Early in Matthew's career he helped plant, maintain, and restore miles of hedgerows and got to see up close the wealth of wildlife that live in them. When he moved to America, he was struck by the lack of hedgerows, their place in the landscape frequently filled by barbed wire or other types of fencing. He is very happy to...

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47:30

State of the Butterflies in the United States: A...

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/07/01

I’m sure it’s not surprising to hear that butterflies are in decline, but the speed at which it is happening may be. Butterflies are being lost at a rate of 1.3% per year, which means more than one-fifth have disappeared over a 20-year period. These are just a couple of the alarming statistics that emerged from the work of the State of the Butterflies in the United States working group. The group was comprised of scientists from universities, agencies, and the Xerces Society. Their findings h...

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54:04

Bug Banter Live! Building Pollinator Habitat

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society ·

2025/06/20

One of the most effective ways to contribute to pollinator conservation is to provide the essential components of pollinator habitat. To celebrate Pollinator Week, we invited a panel of Xerces experts to help us answer audience questions in this special Bug Banter Live episode. Bernardo Niño is a pollinator conservation specialist with Xerces Food Systems and Living Farms Project in California. Steve Armstead is a pollinator conservation and nature-based climate solutions specialist in ...

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64 results

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