Arthro-Pod

Welcome back bug lovers! This is the second episode in a two part series about the history of imported fire ants in the United States and the ways we responded to their presence in the south. Colloquially these could be referred to as the "FIRE ANT WARS"! In this episode, we go deeper into the middle of the 20th century, a time where the wars are cold and the atoms are tamed. The ants however are...

This week we talk with Dr. George Gale about grape phylloxera - how it was introduced into France in the late 1800s, how it devastated French viticulture and wine production, and how ultimately we overcame this pest through hybridization and use of American rootstocks. We also touch upon the history of grape phylloxera in the rest of the world, with a focus on California. __________ Get the show t...

In this episode, Ross Stewart from the Center for Biodiversity and Genomics discusses the innovative BugQuest project, which uses Malaise traps and DNA barcoding to study insect diversity across Canada. Discover how citizen science, advanced sequencing, and creative outreach are transforming entomology research.  BugQuest: https://bioscan.life/bugquest/ University of Guelph News (April 2026): http...

Welcome back bug lovers! This is the first of a two part series about the history of fire ants in the United States and the ways we responded to their presence in the south. Colloquially these could be referred to as the "FIRE ANT WARS"! You can imagine your own pulse pounding beat to idea... In this episode, we unpack how fire ants arrived in the US, the sequence of events that led to red importe...

Welcome back, Arthro-Pod listeners! This week we chat with Kevyn Juneau, Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin - River Falls, about teaching and research at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). We take a deep dive into his habitat restoration work in the Bahamas and how teaching at a PUI is different from a larger (e.g., R1, land grant, state) university. Part of Kevyn's research...

Hey bug lovers! In today's show, the crew meets up with Sally Raymond to talk all about integrated pest management in apple orchards. Apple production is fascinating and the ways growers manage pests are also unique compared to other ag systems. Tune in to learn about apples as a system, how are pests dealt with in orchards, Sally's work specifically looking at hail netting to stop pests, and how...

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 lif...

Join us as we dive into the career journey and leadership insights of Melissa Siebert, a renowned entomologist in industry and the 2026 President of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Discover how her dedication, scientific expertise, and community-building efforts shape the future of entomology and agriculture. Topics Covered: Melissa's background and path into entomology and insecticide...

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 Arthr...

This week we chat with Calvin Norman, an extension forester with Penn State, about the importance of hemlock trees in eastern North America and the impact that hemlock woolly adelgid has had on hemlock forests. Spoiler, it's not good.   __ 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 momen...

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 collecti...

Unlock the surprising art and science of transforming urban trees into one-of-a-kind lumber and discover why bugs are part of the story that makes every piece unique. In this episode, Meghan Sundermeier of Omaha Wood Company shares how she salvages urban logs, turning both unwanted and sentimental wood into beautiful, sustainable creations. Guided by a deep respect for nature, Meghan’s work is abo...

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 Ar...

Michael and Jody speak with Dr. Joanie King to talk about her love of ants, particularly the harvester ants. Discover fascinating insights into harvester ants, their behavior, ecological roles, and ongoing research from an experienced extension entomologist. This episode highlights the complexity of seed foraging, species diversity, and how ants contribute to ecosystems and land management. In thi...

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 convers...

Join Jonathan and Michael as they return to the pocket universe of Pokémon to revisit the various arthropods you could catch there. This one has some cultural explorations of video games and gamer identities as well as conversation about why Pokémon might appeal specifically to the entomologists of the world.   Show Notes https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemon/comments/ckenhi/a_barely_scientific_cladogr...

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...

Happy 2025, Arthro-Pod listeners. We hope this year has treated you as well as it could have and that 2026 is better. During this cold wintery season, Michael and Jonathan say down to talk about ice crawlers, otherwise known as grylloblattids, those enigmatic insects that are associated with glaciers and high mountain environments. Or are they? Listen to the episode to find out why these insects a...

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...

Hello bug lovers! Apologies for the delay but we hope you will enjoy this dive into insects and mythology. Jonathan takes us through the meaning of myth and religion before the while crew shares a story from a mythology that involves insects and they all dissect it. You can find a lot of different publications on this topic and it is a fruitful discussion to consider all the wats that insects and...

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 i...

Two episodes in one week?! We wanted to make sure to drop this little treat off before the Halloween season officially passes. We hope you will tune in as Jody, Mike, and Jonathan discuss the 1997 cockroach horror film "Mimic". You'll never look at a Blattodean the same way again!   Show notes:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119675/   https://kickseat.com/written-reviews/2011/10/5/mimic-1997.html...

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 inno...

Hello bug lovers! In today's pulse pounding episode, Jonathan unleashes his inner nerd to talk at Jody and Michael about the world of comic books and how insects have been used in this visual story telling medium. From the origins of the funny pages to the symbolism behind insects/spiders in super hero books, this episode take a lot of twists and turns. Face front true believer and jump right in!...

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 t...