PODCAST · science
Arthro-Pod
by Arthro-Pod
The home for Arthro-Pod,the podcast that teaches you about the weird and wonderful world of insects!
Episodes
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Arthro-Pod Episode 211: The Fire Ant Wars Part Two
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 210: The History of Grape Phylloxera and Devastation of French Wine with George Gale
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 209: DNA Barcoding with Dr. Ross Stewart
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 208: The Fire Ant Wars Part One
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 207: Teaching and research at a primarily undergraduate institution with Dr. Kevyn Juneau
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 206: Apple IPM with Sally Raymond
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 205: Insect Behavior and Conservation with Dr. Ted Burk
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,...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 204: Leading the Charge in Entomology with Dr. Melissa Siebert
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 203 Insects in Poetry with Tom Turpin
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 202: Hemlocks and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid with Calvin Norman
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 201: Community Outreach Celebrating Monarchs and Milkweed with Nancy Crews
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 200: Interview with Meghan Sundermeier, an Urban Sawyer
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 199: Multitrophic interactions with Jared Ali
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 198: Understanding Harvester Ants with Dr. Joanie King
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 197: Celebrating Passion and Pedagogy with Dr. Louise Lynch-O'Brien
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 196 The Arthropods of Pokémon Redux
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…
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Arthro-Pod EP 195: Insect News Roundup
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...
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Arthro-Pod EP 194: Ice crawlers
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...
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Arthro-Pod EP 193: Insects as Producers
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...
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Arthro-Pod EP 192: Insects and Mythology
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 191: Chagas disease
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 190: Mimic (1997) for the Halloween Spectacular
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:...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 189: New World Screwworm
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 188: Insects and Comic Books
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…
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Arthro-Pod Episode 187: Structural Arthropods of California with Dr. Siavash Taravati
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 186: Interview with Sam Bolton, curator of mites
Hey there fellow arthropod enthusiasts! In this episode, we talked with Sam Bolton, curator of mites at the Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Specifically, we asked "what exactly is a mite?" and picked apart the fact that "mites" aren't a real...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 185: Introduction to Plant-Insect Interactions
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...
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Arthro-Pod EP 184: Salt Creek Tiger Beetle with Dr. Gary Brewer
In this episode of Arthro-pod, we explore the complex challenges of habitat restoration and species conservation through the lens of the endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. Hosts are joined by special guest Dr. Gary Brewer to discuss the beetle’s unique ecological needs and the collaborative...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 183: Gall wasps with Louis Nastasi
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...
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Arthro-Pod Episode 182: Insect ID and Reddit
Hey there insect lovers! This episode is a real treat, Jody, Jonathan, and Michael are joined by Douglass Hughes and Skalla Resco, two members of the moderation team at r/bugidentification over at Reddit. These are two selfless people who spend their time making sure folks know what insects they...
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Arthro-Pod Ep 181: The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Management
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…
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Arthro-Pod EP 180: Arthropods of the Elder Scrolls Universe
Welcome back to Arthro-Pod! In this episode, Michael explores arthropods of the Elder Scrolls universe, including those featured in the games Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, and Elder Scrolls Online. Because this is such a visual episode, you can find show notes on the blog. Get…
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Arthro-Pod EP 179: Periodical Cicadas through History
Welcome back bug lovers! If you live in the US, specifically in about 12 different states in the east and midwest, you might be hearing the delightful songs of periodical cicadas. If you have ever wondered how these insects have been studied throughout the years or what they have meant...
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Arthro-Pod EP 178: The Insect Abdomen
Greetings Arthro-Pod listeners! This week, Michael leads the Arthro-Pod team in a discussion about the abdomen. This is the latest in our series about the different parts of insects and other hexapods. Other episodes include 162: The Insect Head 144: Insect Wings 143: Insect Legs 130: Chew…
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Arthro-Pod EP 177: Trial of the Honey Bee with Dr. Judy Wu-Smart
In this episode the hosts of Arthro-pod interview Dr. Judy Wu-Smart about the pros and cons of the European honey bees. The conversation touches on the historical context of honey bees in North America, the challenges of colony collapse disorder, the implications of neonicotinoids in agriculture,...
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Arthro-Pod EP 176: Yellow Fever and Walter Reed, part 2
Greetings Arthro-Pod listeners! This week, Michael continues the story of Walter Reed and the discovery that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. Specifically, we talk about the major players on the Yellow Fever Board, the experiments they did with live human subjects, and how they…
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Arthro-Pod EP 175: Yellow Fever and Walter Reed, part 1
Greetings Arthro-Pod listeners! This week, Michael introduces us to yellow fever. Specifically, we cover the first major outbreak of the disease in the United States in Philadelphia in 1793 and the broader history of yellow fever in the United States through the 1800s. This sets the stage for the...
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Arthro-Pod EP 174 Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles are Real Ladybugs
Hello bug lovers! In this exciting edition of Arthro-Pod, Jody leads Mike and Jon through an episode entirely dedicated to the multicolored Asian lady beetle. It is known by many names, the multicolored lady bug, the Halloween beetle, and the fake ladybug amongst others. You may have seen them in...
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Arthro-Pod EP 173: Insect Farming with David Fluker
Hello bug lovers! Today's episode is a special treat as the Arthro-Pod gang is joined by David Fluker of Fluker Farms and Soldier Fly Technologies to talk about tending to crickets, soldier flies, and more. David is a second generation insect farmer and self proclaimed "ento-preneur", tune in to...
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Arthro-Pod EP 172: Bugs, Maps, and Math with Jeff Holland
On this episode of Arthro-Pod, join Mike and Jon as they catch up with Jeff Holland of Bugs, Maps, and Math. Jeff was previously a professor at Purdue, where Mike worked in his lab for several semesters. While they catch up on good times, we also learn all about Jeff's insect consulting company,...
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Arthro-Pod EP 171: Glittering, Golden, Insect Jewelry with Jennifer Gordon
Hello bug lovers! On today's episode of Arthro-Pod, the gang meets up with top tier guest Dr. Jennifer Gordon to learn about insects and their use in jewelry. Jennifer is an entomological consultant, her business is called Bug Lessons, but she also has a wonderful hobby of seeking out insect…
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Arthro-Pod EP 170: Tour of the State Insects
The individual states that make up the United States of America often choose state symbols that represent different facets of their agriculture, their traditions, their cuisine, and their people. In fact, most states have even dipped into the entomological world to choose insect symbols such as...
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Arthro-Pod EP 169: Arthro-Pod Watches ”Arachnophobia”
Welcome back bug lovers! We apologize for the delay in new content but some technical difficulties have been felt. Everything is back on track now and we'll be posting frequently to end 2024! Tune in to this belated Halloween celebration where we dive into the 1990 film, "Arachnophobia". Prep...
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Arthro-Pod EP 168 The Great Insect Fair at Penn State
Join Michael Skvarla of Penn State Entomology for a tour around the annual Great Insect Fair. Questions? Comments? Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_PodshowFollow the hosts on Twitter @bugmanjon, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36 and Bluesky @NapoleonicEnto Get the show through Apple Podcast,...
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Arthro-Pod EP 167: What’s New with Spotted Lanternfly with Dr. Julie Urban
Spotted lanternfly is one of the most dashing and prominent invasive species in the United States. This colorful planthopper is known for feeding on tree of heaven (another invasive species...) and grapes amongst quite a few others. Though they are likely best known for being being big and…
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Arthro-Pod EP 165 Pheromones and Fireflies with Dr. Sarah Lower
On today's episode, Michael is flying solo when he interviews Dr. Sarah Lower of Bucknell University. Dr. Lower is an expert on the evolution of signaling in the fireflies, one of the more popular group of insects we have here on Earth. Usually when people think of this flashy group, they…
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Arthro-Pod EP 166: Scratching the Oak Itch Mite itch
Hello bug lovers and welcome to another episode of Arthro-Pod! Today, we're going to the world of mites, specifically, we will talking all about the pyemotes itch mite. This teeny tiny biting pest has been making a splash in the news recently, with lots of people in Chicago and other Illinois...
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Arthro-Pod EP 164: Mothman versus Arthro-Pod
Greetings from the void, bug lovers! Today's episode is a bit different in flavor... Michael and Jonathan met up this month for a dual family vacation and they are in search of the mythical Mothman! Join them as the delve into the world of cryptozoology and ask the question, why aren't there more...
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Arthro-Pod EP 163: A Dip into Strepsiptera
Today's episode is a twisted one! After meeting one of our listeners a while back, there was a request for a deep dive into the world of strepsiptera, aka the twisted wing parasites. This order of insects may not be a big one, but they do hold a lot of surprises. Mike leads Jody and Jonathan...
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Arthro-Pod EP 162: The Insect Head
Hello bug lovers! On today's episode of Arthro-Pod, the gang will be taking you on a journey through the first section of an insect's body, the head. This magnificent center for information gathering and processing has many wonderful adaptations of internal and external anatomy that it's truly a...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Arthro-Pod have?
Arthro-Pod currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Arthro-Pod about?
The home for Arthro-Pod,the podcast that teaches you about the weird and wonderful world of insects!
How often does Arthro-Pod release new episodes?
Arthro-Pod has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Arthro-Pod?
You can listen to Arthro-Pod on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Arthro-Pod?
Arthro-Pod is created and hosted by Arthro-Pod.
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