ScienceNatureEducationKids & FamilyPets & Animals

Bugs Need Heroes

BugsNeedHeroes

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 License.

Play

Open in

21 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 4 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#108
Monday · 1 hr 11 min
Honey, I Shrunk The Podcast (GROUNDED!)
Amanda and Dr Kelly Z review the movie Honey, I Shrunk The Kids and the video game Grounded. Note: episodes may be out of order while we wrap up things from summer. 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 and Camazotz. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
July 13 · 32 sec
Whoops!
Producer Derek messed up the summer schedule so things will be intermittent until everyone gets back from family/travel/bug related adventures.
#107
July 6 · 59 min
Dr Kelly Zimmerman on Spooko Podcast
Kelly guests on Spooko Podcast to talk about the film Prince of Darkness and discuss bug wranglers, 'pre'-biotics, and why so many horror movies about satan assume bugs are bad guys. Follow Spooko on Insta: @_spooko_ Join the Feel Bad Club on our discord: https://discord.gg/mJAJYCChGy And if you're keen for more Peach and Shag, check out our OTHER pod (it's about Gordon Ramsay): @peachandshagsnightmaremethod
#106
June 29 · 1 hr 37 min
The Vampire Hunters? (LOVEBUGS) with Ellen Weatherford
Dr Kelly Z is out today and filling in for her is Ellen Weatherford of Just The Zoo of Us podcast to discuss lovebugs (Plecia nearctica). Many tangents in this episode including Florida mullets, Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos, "shadow daddies," and a history of Batman's sidekicks. 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 and the darling Clementine. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#105
June 15 · 1 hr 22 min
A Bug's Life Needs Heroes?
Amanda and Kelly share their thoughts about the 1998 Disney/Pixar movie A Bug's Life. Movie discussion begins at 5:30 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 and the darling Clementine. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#104
June 1 · 1 hr 13 min
99 Episodes But an Itch Ain't One (FLEAS)
Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk discuss the order Siphonaptera. They talk about all the things fleas are famous for: jumping on cats, giving rats the plague, and singing about California. Tangents include Elvira, circuses, and orcas. Bug discussion begins at 8:29 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/99-episodes-but-an-itch-aint-one 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 and the darling Clementine. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#103
May 18 · 1 hr 3 min
Bug Heroes: Joey Santore
This episode we are joined by Joey Santore of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't. Joey's website: https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/ Joey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt Joey's YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt Joey's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt Joey's Book (pre-order link): https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/concrete-botany-pre-order 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 and The Darling Clementine. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#102
May 4 · 1 hr
The Poultry P.I. (CLOWN BEETLES)
Send in the clown beetles! Amanda thinks they are the most beetle you can be! Dr Kelly Z thinks they are cute! This episode is not for the coulrophobic! Tangents include Jason Bateman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and isopods! Bug discussion begins around 9:30 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/clown-detective 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 and Clementine. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#101
April 20 · 1 hr 21 min
The Larva Face (IRONCLAD BEETLES)
The uncrushable beetle has arrived in all his bedazzlements. Tangents include America's Next Top Model, Frankenstein, and a lot of wrestling talk. And Amanda picked a name that was already a superhero, so I had to choose a different title. Bug discussion begins around 9:00 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/larva-face 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 and Desdemona. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
#100
April 6 · 1 hr 10 min
Attaantium (LEAFCUTTER ANTS)
Amanda and Dr Kelly Z talk about leaf cutter ants. This is an iconic ant. 'Nuff said! Bug discussion begins around 6:00 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/attaantium 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 and Desdemona. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#99
March 22 · 1 hr 2 min
Bug Hero: The Bee Babette (Dr KIT PRENDERGAST)
This episode we are joined by Dr Kit Prendergast to talk about wild bees! How do we protect these important pollinators from the many threats and what exactly are those threats? And what the heck is a lek? We talk about naming an undescribed species after Tom Ellis, costuming, and the challenges of science outreach when discussing honeybees. Unfortunately this is an audio medium so you'll have to go to her socials to see pictures of her dog Zephyr, who has a species named after them now! Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buzzonwildbees/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.beebabette Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheBeeBabette ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kit-Prendergast Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeeBabette 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 and Camazotz. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group and introducing us to Dr Prendergast.
March 5 · 19 sec
Off This Week
At Emerald City Comic Con. Back again soon!
#97
February 23 · 1 hr 4 min
Bringing Home a Baby Butterfly (LARGE BLUE BUTTERFLY)
There are only seven basic plots: Overcoming the monster, Rags to riches, Voyage/Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth, and the Quest. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is all seven. Eric Carle himself said its "a book of hope... a way about growing up, how scary it is, but how you can fly into the world with your talents." He is wrong. It is a book of conquest. Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss the large blue butterfly (Phengaris arion) which is neither large nor especially blue. This species was once considered nearly extinct in Great Britain but has since made an incredible recovery. It's an interesting story so I won't summarize a podcast further in text! Tangents include Valentine's Day, overalls, and ska. Bug discussion begins around 10:45 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bringing-home-a-baby-butterfly 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 and Camazotz. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#96
February 9 · 59 min
The SciComm Spectre (PHASMIDS)
Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss a popular family of insects and one in particular that is very popular in zoos and museums, the giant-australian-prickly-walking-stick-insect (Extatosoma tiaratum). Tangents include Indiana Jones, pirates, and the weather. Bug discussion begins around 9:00 Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/scicomm-spectre 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 and Camazotz. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#95
January 26 · 1 hr 15 min
The Admiral's Insect (TREE LOBSTERS)
This week Amanda and Dr Kelly Z discuss the Lord Howe Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis). This species was presumed extinct until a small extant population was found and efforts from captive breeding programs in zoos brought them back. It's not quite Jurassic Park but we like it. Tangents include carnivorous deer, ecological niches, and hit musicals. Bug discussion begins around 12:00 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 and Camazotz. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#94
January 13 · 1 hr 15 min
Bug Hero: Dr Nina Jenkins (BED BUGS)
This episode we are joined by Dr Nina Jenkins of ConidioTec to talk bed bugs and how a fungal treatment called Apprehend she developed can be used to control them. We discuss how a biocontrol agent for aphids, whiteflies, and thrips went through the shark tank and regulatory agencies to your bedroom. Tangents include tarantula people, vampire entomology, and Jurassic Park (always!) Bug discussion begins around 4:50 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. Zotz tried to help. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#93
Dec 29, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Auntie Spider (SOCIAL AND SPITTING SPIDERS)
We take another dip into our spider-verse with a discussion of spitting spiders and spider sociality. Tangents include parenting and homework advice, hamster cannibalism, Superman, Fionna and Cake. It takes a friendly neighborhood to raise a spider (aka a crawl space). Bug discussion begins around 7:10 Kevin's Spider Video: Spitting Spider (Scytodes longipes) exhibiting its "spitting" behavior. Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/auntie-spider 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. Zotz did not help, but he tried to. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#92
Dec 15, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
The Rising of the Stink Hero (SHIELD BUGS)
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: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/rising-of-the-stink-hero 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. Zotz did not help. He got in the way. A lot. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#91
Dec 1, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Spider Rider (MANTIDFLIES)
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: 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. Zotz helped a little. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic. Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
#90
Nov 17, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
The Good, The Bad, and the Bugly (LONGHORN BEETLES)
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 Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. ROTUNDA helped a little. Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman. Character artwork by Amanda Niday. Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes