Insects for Fun!

The Old World Swallowtail is scientifically known as Papilio machaon. And yes this the butterfly on all those classic field guide covers”. The yellow wings with black veins and those elegant little tails make them iconic in the world of butterflies, but it’s not just a pretty face — it’s a survivor, an actor in myths, and a worldwide traveler that’s been gliding through history for thousands of ye...

Today we're talking about an insect artist, a wasp with an incredible ability to produce sculptures not too unlike what human potters make. Potter wasps belong to the family Vespidae, but they're very unique for many reasons.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsectsforFun   IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebo...

Have you ever picked up an empty snail shell and wondered who might have been clever enough to crack it? Enter the snail-eating beetle, a specialist predator that has evolved tools as precise as a locksmith’s to get at one of nature’s most well protected animals.   Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsectsforFun   IG:  https://www.instagram.com...

This week we’re focusing on all things terrariums. We’re gonna look at the different types, what they’re used for, how they started and how to make them! So let’s get into it. This may be something we revisit later, as the topic is incredibly broad.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsectsforFun   IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/...

We’re looking at one of the most alien-looking arachnids you’ll ever meet. Despite their fearsome appearance, whip spiders are harmless to people. They don’t have venom, they don’t spin webs, and they don’t sting. But in the micro-world of the forest floors and caves, they are master hunters with fascinating behaviors.   Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 YouTube: https://www.yo...

Today, we’re going to explore one of the most delightful and deceptive groups of insects you’ve definitely seen before—hover flies, also called flower flies or syrphid flies. At first glance, you might mistake them for bees or wasps, but these are imposters with some fascinating roles in the insect world. They’re not only excellent mimics but also some of the most important pollinators on the plan...

When you step outside on a warm late summer evening, one of the first things you’ll probably notice is that steady background chorus of chirping. It’s so familiar that many people tune it out completely, but field crickets are far from being just “noisy.” These insects live complex lives full of competition, love songs, deception, and even a gamble-based fighting ring!?    Patreon -> https://ww...

This week we are looking at a very specific species of paper wasp known as Polistes carnifex, aka the executioner wasp. On episode 91 of this show we talked about paper wasps in general, but this specific species stands out in many ways. In this episode we will also talk about and compare the sting of an executioner wasp with that of the bullet ant.     Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u...

Today we’re diving into the shadowy world of one of nature’s most notorious insect hitmen: the assassin bugs. With a name like that, you know they’re not here to play nice. These insects are masters of stealth, ambush, and precision strikes, earning them a reputation as some of the most ruthless predators in the insect kingdom. But beyond their deadly image, assassin bugs are fascinating creatures...

This week, we look at the lives of click beetles and all the interesting tricks of their trade! We break down how click beetles pull off their acrobatic launches without using their legs, dive underground into the long, secret lives of their larvae, meet the bioluminescent tropical species, and explore their surprising roles in human history and agriculture.   Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com...

This week we look into a small and largely unknown group of insects known as Owlflies! They're so unique that people can't quite figure out where they belong in the tree of life, but one thing is for sure: they're a special group of insects.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614...

This week, we're taking a deep look into the oddities that make mantidflies so unique. This includes their bizarre life cycle, and of course their strange adaptations which make them unique hunters in the insect world.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsford...

This week, we examine screwworms to learn about their impact on mammals and how they initiated a revolutionary practice of biological control. We also look at the current status of their outbreak in and how it happened.   Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsford...

This week, we're doing a folklore-focused episode covering many myths and legends across the world surrounding popular insect groups and an honorable mention.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummies@gmail.com  Discord -> https://discord.gg/pDJH3CYcG...

This week we shrink down again to look at another tiny arthropod commonly mistaken for bugs. Except this one is very infamous. On this episode of Insects for Fun we take a deep dive into the territory known as "Mites" and learn all about the different kinds and what they do.  Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook...

This week, we dive into the micro world of springtails to learn about what they are, what they do, and why we need them.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummies@gmail.com  Discord -> https://discord.gg/pDJH3CYcG6    Today's music by: murtoy

This week we are talking about an insect that looks both prehistoric and something straight from the Nether in Minecraft. Dobsonflies might be terrifying but honestly you have nothing to fear and in fact its actually a good thing if you see one!    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10008544...

Today we are looking at different noteworthy caterpillars that feed on or off other insects, how they do it, and why! The families of caterpillars mentioned in this episode are Geometridae, Epipyropidae, and Lycaenidae.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfor...

This week we dive into the weird knobs called galls you sometimes see on tree leaves and branches. The culprit is often a tiny wasp, and in this episode, you'll learn how and why. We'll also explore some uses for these protein-packed, unusual plant growths.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...

This week we dive into a very strange species of moth whose caterpillars look like they came right out of a sci-fi monster movie. We're gonna look at their behaviors, adaptations, and of course, how to raise them.  Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummies@...

This week, we switch gears from the hot trailblazers to the cold and dark excavator insects. We are looking at the top four insects that have evolved to live in cave systems where many other animals could never live.  Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummi...

This week we are looking at some insects and one notable arthropod that loves to live where it is unbearably hot.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummies@gmail.com  Discord -> https://discord.gg/pDJH3CYcG6    Music by masaki tomiyama  

This week, we look at insect tool use across different orders and families. There are some really surprising things in this episode, and there are plenty of mentions of insects that have yet to make an appearance on the podcast. Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Inse...

This week, we are focusing on one of the most loved and well-known stag beetles around the world. Let's learn about the ecology, behaviors, and even how to raise the Rainbow Stag Beetle, scientifically known as Phalacrognathus muelleri.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 E...

This week, we're taking a deep dive into one of the world's largest bumble bees and why they're so important for both natural conservation and culture.    Patreon -> https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46499107 IG:  https://www.instagram.com/insects4fun/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085443614825 Email:  Insectsfordummies@gmail.com  Discord -> https://discord.gg/pDJH3CYcG6    Mu...