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PODCAST

Bugs Need Heroes

On each episode of Bugs Need Heroes, an ecologist and an illustrator team-up to create a new insect-inspired super hero. The finished characters are posted to our social media pages and at BugsNeedHeroes.com Email us questions about bugs at BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman. Edited by Derek Conrad. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. ”Ladybug Castle” by Rolemusic is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 International

science nature

All Episodes

80:05

The Rising of the Stink Hero (SHIELD BUGS)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/12/15

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. Special attention is given to the Brown Mamorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) for being an agricultural pest and seasonal nuisance in winter. Tangents include children's names, eating bugs, and how Kelly was married by a sea captain.Bug discussion begins around 10:30 Kelly's Field Notes:

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69:20

Spider Rider (MANTIDFLIES)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/12/01

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 Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/spider-rider Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram:

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70:51

The Good, The Bad, and the Bugly (LONGHORN BEETLES)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/11/17

This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss long-horn beetles. Tangents include forest creatures, mimicry, and television's Survivor.Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-good-the-bad-and-the-bugly 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

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64:58

Scooty! (HOUSE CENTIPEDES)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/10/27

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 Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/scooty Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram:

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73:28

The Devil's Uber

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/10/13

This episode was originally recorded in Spring 2025, but an issue during recording caused it to be delayed until now. 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 Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Derek Conrad: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-devils-uber Send us questions and suggestions

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66:04

Song of Silk

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/09/29

Amanda leads an episode about the history of silkworms and how they changed the world!Topic discussion begins around 7:10 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. The cats did not participate in editing. Created by Derek Conrad

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67:33

The Biohacker (Strepsiptera with Dr Floria Uy)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/09/15

This episode Amanda and Kelly are joined by Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy of the University of Rochester to discuss twisted wing insects. The name is deceptive because only the males have wings and they only have hours to use them to turn wasps into zombies! These rare insects have a strange and maybe even a little disturbing life history as parasitoids. Keep an eye out around goldenrod flowers and you might see the signs of an infected wasp!Bug discussion begins around 3:45 Follow Floria on

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66:10

Mudwoman (MUD DAUBERS)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/09/01

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, and Amanda's crochet tips.Bug discussion begins around 5:20 Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Derek Conrad: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/mudwoman Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram:

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55:35

Sharpshooter, Agent of H.O.P.P.E.R.B.U.R.N....

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/08/18

Sometimes it's hard to name these characters, but not this week. Amanda and Kelly talk aeroplankton, animal communication, and ask what is a pest really. Tangents include John Singer Sargent, KPop Demon Hunters, and lots of fashion talk this week as Amanda walks us through her character creation process.Bug discussion begins around 7:40 Kelly's Field Notes and pictures from Kevin Weiner: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/sharpshooter Send us questions and suggestions

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01:23:31

Dude Dad Diaper Bug (GIANT WATER BUGS aka TOE-BITERS)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/08/04

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. Bug discussion begins around 4:20 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:

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01:08:17

X-Mantis (MANTIDAE)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/07/21

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.Bug discussion begins around minute six. Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/x-mantis 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:

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01:13:05

Tergal Lad (COCKROACHES with Dr Aaron Rodriques)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/07/07

This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly are joined by Dr Aaron Rodriques to discuss German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), overcoming fears, and social secretions. Tangents include crows, decapitations, and the nature of Love. We also wanted to share this short video about Aaron and this article that Amanda references during the conversation.Follow Aaron on instagram (@arr318)! We did an episode about cockroaches previously with Arthro-Pod. You can see the cockroach field notes at

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56:54

The Salty Surfer (WATER STRIDERS)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/06/23

Kelly and Amanda continue wet bug summer with a discussion of 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 characters. Also Amanda shares terrible story about almost eating a spider.Bug discussion begins around 10:15 Kelly's field notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-salty-surfer Water strider jumping video:

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01:08:15

The Assassins (ASSASSIN BUGS)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/06/09

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. While most are beneficial, there is a deadly exception! Tangents include Naruto ninjas, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Detective Comics Comics' character Ambush Bug. Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-assassins This Podcast Will Kill You episode about

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01:08:36

The One-trick Magician (WATER SCAVENGER BEETLE)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/05/26

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.VIDEO OF THE ESCAPE: https://youtu.be/_W0UJD_i3Mo Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/one-trick-magician Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/ Join us on Bluesky:

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01:28:40

Dr Drosophila (FRUIT FLIES)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/05/12

Kelly has now become Dr Kelly. 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.Dr Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/dr-drosophila Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/ Join us on Bluesky:

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00:39

Dr Pause

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/03/31

We are taking a break while Kelly mounts her defense.

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59:21

Bubble Bug(True)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/03/17

Finally, a bug Amanda recognizes! Fortunately, she doesn't know anything about them still so we can have an episode all about spittlebugs (aka froghoppers) and what makes them a true bug. Tangents include the fabric arts, little kid germs, and the grief of aging (as relayed by Bluey).Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bubble-bug Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram:

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01:22:13

Lil Dudes Insect Academy

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/03/03

This time we are joined by Bradon Coy of Lil Dudes Insect Academy to discuss his programs, eusocial insects (particularly Argentine Ants), and our favorite bug movies.Lil' Dudes Insect Academy website Lil Dudes Insect Academy on Youtube Please check out our reading lists and feel free to recommend other books. We'll make Kelly read them before putting them on the list. The lists are not connected to Amazon or anything so we make no money off of them. Adult

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55:46

The Heckgrammite (DOBSONFLIES)

Bugs Need Heroes ·

2025/02/17

This week Kelly and Amanda talk about an insect that is a fly in name only. These aquatic insects are know for their large size and fierce appearance. These Tangents include peeing in the woods, gnats, and cats (always).Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/heckgrammite Send us questions and suggestions! BugsNeedHeroes@gmail.com Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/ Join us on Bluesky:

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92 results

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