Arthro-Pod

Get ready listeners, this episode is packed with so many things! Jody and Jonathan are joined by Dr. Ted Burk, who really didn't need any questions, prompts or an outline. It is an episode rich in stories about insects, scientific discovery, and conservation efforts—perfect for entomologists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts alike. This interview with entomologist Dr. Burk follows his lifelong path from 4-H insect collecting to a decades-long career in behavior, ecology, and conservation at Creighton University. He shares stories from his research on American cockroaches, crickets, Caribbean fruit flies, conehead katydids, regal fritillaries, monarch butterflies, and fireflies, while highlighting how insect mating behavior, pollination, and prairie restoration reveal the deep ecological importance of even the smallest creatures. Note: If you want to hear Ted talk about the biologically interesting state of Nebraska pay attention to 37:23-39:39. More about Ted: Dr. Theodore Burk’s Faculty Profile at Creighton University Department of Biology Xerces Society 2024 article about Ted Burk and his work with insect conservation Glacier Creek Preserve Butterfly List, last updated 2020 Richard Dawkins and Theodore Burk in 1976 Photo Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Intro and Outro song: "There it is" by Kevin McLeod, Incomptech Music

Hello bug lovers! In today's episode, Jody, Jonathan, and Michael are joined by entomology legend, Dr. Tom Turpin of Purdue University. Tom is an ESA fellow, an author (check out Flies in the Face of Fashion, Mites Make Right, and other Bugdacious Tales and What’s Buggin’ You Now? Bee’s Knees, Bug Lites, and Beetles), and is most famous for his work in teaching and outreach. Today, he helps Arthro-Pod to examine the use of insects and their relatives in poetry. If you have every wanted to know why the cicada sings or the why the firefly glows, this isthe episode for you! If you want to read some of the poems discussed: https://www.literarymatters.org/18-1-meleager-of-gadara-to-the-cicada/ https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/58430/firefly-56d23ccbb5f21 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53210/on-the-grasshopper-and-cricket ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Intro and Outro song: "There it is" by Kevin McLeod, Incomptech Music

Join us as we dive into the vital role of milkweed for monarch butterfly survival, the community-driven efforts to plant and restore habitats. Our guest, Nancy Crews, director of Milkweed Matters, shares inspiring stories of grassroots initiatives, scientific advancements, and how everyone can contribute to pollinator conservation. Call to Action: Plant native gardens, participate in seed collection, support habitat restoration, and spread awareness about the importance of pollinators. Your efforts help ensure that monarchs and countless other pollinators thrive for generations to come. Resources and Links: Milkweed Matters Website: https://milkweedmatters.org/ Monarch Watch: https://monarchwatch.org/blog/ Radio tracking Monarchs: https://monarchjointventure.org/blog/revolutionary-tracking-study-follows-monarchs Motus: https://motus.org/ Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ __ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

Michael and the gang chat with Dr. Jared Ali about his unorthodox journey to becoming an entomologist, making unexpected connections, and exploring multitrophic interactions between plants, herbivores, and pests. ___________________________________________________________ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Thank you so much for listening!

Join us in this episode as we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Louise Lynch-O'Brien, a dedicated entomologist, educator, and lifelong learner. From her early days in New York to her impactful work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Louise shares her unique perspective on teaching, community engagement, and the importance of building relationships with insects and people alike. This conversation highlights her innovative approach to science communication, qualitative research methods, and her love for continuous learning. In this episode: Louise’s path from childhood curiosity to professional entomology The role of nature in fostering wonder and scientific inquiry How she integrates qualitative research into insect outreach and education Strategies for shifting public perceptions of insects and arthropods Balancing teaching, extension, and research in higher education The value of experiential learning courses for students Using storytelling and soft skills to enhance science communication Insights on managing student mentorship and fostering growth mindset The impact of community science and long-term outreach programs like Bugfest Her favorite MasterClass courses and continuous professional development To get to know Louise: UNL Directory: https://entomology.unl.edu/person/dr-louise-i-lynch-obrien/ Faculty Spotlight: https://ianrnews.unl.edu/faculty-spotlight-louise-lynch-obrien Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/civicentolab/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlynchobrien/ UNL Online M.S. in Entomology: https://entomology.unl.edu/academic-programs/online-master-science-entomology/ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Thank you so much for listening!

Happy New Year, Arthro-Pod Listeners! In this episode, each of the hosts choose an intriguing and slightly bizarre insect-related news story to dissect. Among the stories include 1) the controversial topic of cyborg cockroaches being developed for military applications, 2) a disturbing lawsuit involving bed bugs on a plane, and 3) the implications of granting legal rights to stingless bees in Peru. Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Thank you so much for listening!

Hey there bug lovers! On today's episode, Jody, Michael, and Jonathan sit down and talk about the many wonder products that we can harvest from insects. This isn't just about eating insects, seasoned or not, but about the insects that make something for their own use that we have been able to figure out ways of harvesting and using as well. We talk honey, carmine, and more! In addition, today we honor Bradon Coy of Lil' Dudes Insect Academy. Bradon has sadly left us, but his impact and dreams remain. If you have the means, you can honor his legacy by visiting https://www.lildudesinsectacademy.com/memorial and making a donation.

Welcome back Arthro-Pod listeners! Chagas disease has been in the news this year after a recent paper stated that it should be considered endemic to the United States. But what does that mean, and what evidence is there for the claim? This week Michael leads the crew in a discussion about Chagas disease and the kissing bugs that vector the pathogen that causes it. We talk about where the disease is primarily found, potential evolutionary history of the pathogen and kissing bugs, non-bug transmission routes, and whether we should be concerned that it is endemic to North America north of Mexico. ----------------------------------------------- Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

In this episode of Arthropod, hosts Jody and Michael delve into the unsettling topic of the New World Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, a pest that has made headlines due to its potential impact on livestock and human health. They explore the biology and life cycle of the screwworm, the implications of myiasis, and the historical context of eradication efforts. The discussion highlights the innovative sterile insect technique that has been pivotal in controlling this pest, as well as the recent outbreaks and the importance of ongoing monitoring and vigilance to prevent its return. The episode concludes with a call for awareness and resources for those in affected areas. Resources: Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG) USDA APHIS New World Screwworm National Cattlemen’s Beef Association New World Screwworm Resources CDC Clinical Overview of New World Screwworm US FDA Information for Veterinarians Texas A&M New World Screwworm Factsheets Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

In this episode, Siavash Taravati, an IPM advisor in Southern California, shares his expertise on managing structural pests, including termites, ants, and cockroaches. He discusses the challenges of pest management, the value of integrated pest management (IPM), and the unique behaviors of pests such as the dark rover ant. Siavash also highlights his research on detecting termites with microwave technology and explores potential regulatory changes that could impact fumigation practices. The conversation underscores the complexity of pest control and why flexible, informed approaches are essential for effectively managing different pest species. Resources and Links Visit Dr. Taravati’s blog, Urban IPM So Cal, for details on the research projects and publications mentioned in this episode. Learn more about detecting drywood termites using microwave technology in PCT or Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE). Read about sampling red imported fire ants by volume in Entomology Today or JEE. Arthro-Pod Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

Howdy bug lovers! On today's episode, Jody and Jonathan talk about the green world and how insects have helped to form it. There's lot of discussion on plant and insect evolution and how an "evolutionary arms race" has heled to create the world as we know it. If you would like to read along with some of the papers referenced in the episode, here are some links that should provide free access. Ehrlich & Raven https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1964.tb01674.x Fraenkel https://2024.sci-hub.se/2234/108528be68834a7f1f6fd29ea6081f2a/fraenkel1959.pdf Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

Welcome back Arthro-Poders! Today we chat with Louis Nastasi about gall wasps. Louis recently defended his PhD dissertation at Penn State, which focused on the herb gall wasps (Cynipidae: Aulacideini), especially species of Antistrophus on Silphium. A number of the chapters have already been published, including a catalogue of North American herb gall wasps, key to herb gall wasps and their inquilines, and a revision of the Antistrophus rufus species complex. We start with an introduction to galls and gall wasps, then talk about some of the specifics of his work. Show Notes You can find show notes on the blog. Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

In this episode of Arthropod, hosts Jody Green and Michael Skvarla discuss the importance of beneficial insects in gardening, emphasizing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. They explore how to identify and encourage beneficial insects, the role of predators, and the significance of plant selection in creating a healthy ecosystem. Keywords: gardening, beneficial insects, pests, integrated pest management, entomology, insect identification, plant selection, ecosystem, natural pest control, urban gardening You can find show notes on the blog. Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.