Episodes
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Episode 68: Metamorphosis with Ben Knowlton (There Will Be Bugs)
I talk to Ben Knowlton from There Will Be Bugs about metamorphosis including holometabolous vs hemimetabolous, imaginal discs, whether an insect really does turn to liquid in the pupa, what can go wrong, and more... Pluggables: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/there-will-be-bugs/id1715492448…
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Episode 67: Chilocorus cacti - The Cactus Ladybug
All about the Cactus Ladybug. https://bugguide.net/node/view/83002 https://academic.oup.com/ee/article-abstract/47/2/334/4911639...
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Episode 66: Coccinella novemnotata - The 9-Spotted Ladybug
This week I'm celebrating Mamdani's win with an episode on the state insect of New York. :) Photo credit: Andy Birkey (bsky) (andybirkey.com) https://guides.nynhp.org/nine-spotted-lady-beetle/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinella_novemnotata...
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Episode 65: Sospita vigintiguttata - The Beautiful Ladybird / The Alder Ladybird / The 20-Spot Ladybird
Hear about one of the rarest and most beautiful ladybirds in Europe, its unique habitat and lifestyle. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333761329_Niche_width_and_niche_specialization_in_four_species_of_ladybirds_Coleoptera_Coccinellidae_co-occurring_in_the_same_habitat...
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Episode 64: Ladybirds and Christianity
I discuss the relationship of ladybirds to Christianity. Sources include: Books - A cultural history of insects in the medieval age Encyclopedia of Easter celebrations worldwide https://fathersofmercy.com/the-seven-sorrows-seven-joys-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary...
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[ARCHIVE] Episode 1: Coccinella septempunctata - The 7-Spot Ladybird
The 7-spot ladybird was my very first episode and I've re-edited the audio and uploaded it again, which I will be doing for some of my older episodes, although it still sounds a bit weird in places, so I might update this file again in future as well. I used a variety of sources for this…
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Episode 63: Adalia decempunctata - The 10-Spot Ladybird
An in depth episode about the amazingly variable 10-spot ladybird. Sources: AFG Dixon's study on 10-spot larvae: An experimental study of the searching behaviour of the predatory coccinellid beetle Adalia decempunctata (L.)...
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Episode 62: Entomology under Trump with Armando Rosario Lebrón
I interview Armando Rosario Lebrón, an entomologist who has recently moved from the USA to Wales, about the Trump administration's policies and how these are affecting entomology in the USA. Mentioned in this episode: https://cvrileyfoundation.org/charles-valentine-riley/...
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Episode 61: Serangium montazerii
Find about a tiny but fascinating ladybird that is a voracious predator of citrus whitefly in the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. http://www.agri.huji.ac.il/mepests/enemy/Serangium_montazerii/...
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Episode 60: Ladybirding and Inverts on the Amalfi Coast
I discuss my recent trip to Italy and the ladybirds and other inverts I saw there. Bsky: @psyllobora22 FB: Hidden Wings and Bloodlust Website: https://hiddenwingsandbloodlust.podbean.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hidden-wings-and-bloodlust/id1476595771
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Episode 59: Calvia decemguttata - The White-Spot Ladybird
I discuss this recent arrival to the UK, discovered in the new forest over the summer. Sources: Andrew Jewels' Website: https://www.andrew-jewels.com https://zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/addpages/Andrey_Ukrainsky_Library/References_files/Moore78.pdf https://insecta.pro/taxonomy/1000974...
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Episode 58 - Origin of Coccinellidae
I talk about the origins of ladybirds. Sources: Spotlight Ladybirds - Richard Comont Ecology and behaviour of the ladybird beetles - Michael Majerus Evolution of food preferences in Coccinellidae -...
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Episode 57: Compassionate Entomology with Joe Gray
I speak to Joe Gray from the Ecological Citizen about Compassionate Entomology and how the concept of treating insects as individuals, taking into account their welfare, could revolutionise entomological research....
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Episode 56: Urban Wildlife Gardens with John Attiwell
The second part of my conversation with John. We don't stick to ladybirds but talk about a wide range of wildlife topics. :) Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - Music by Debra Torrance. Buy my book! https://mybook.to/82BK2En Buy me a coffee - https://ko-fi.com/hwabpodcast
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Episode 55: Ladybirding in Scotland and Norfolk with John Attiwell
Recently myself and my friend John Attiwell went to Norfolk. The previous year we had been to Scotland. We recorded a 2-part conversation - the first part is about ladybirds we have found. ;) https://ko-fi.com/hwabpodcast Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi :) https://mybook.to/82BK2En - Buy my book!
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Episode 54: Laboulbeniales with Michiel de Groot
I talk to Michiel de Groot of the University of Ghent about his research on the notorious Laboulbeniales fungi, and the Hesperomyces genus which infect ladybirds - especially Harlequins. Follow Michiel at @michieldegroot.bsky.social https://beetlehangers.org/ Beetlehangers...
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Episode 53: Coccinella hieroglyphica - The Hieroglyphic Ladybird
A little studied ladybird, but with some surprising facts mentioned in this episode. https://www.ko-fi.com/hwabpodcast Ladybirds in traditional medicine:...
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Episode 52 - The Orange Ladybird
All about the orange ladybird - one orange organism you will be glad to hear about in these bleak times. Buy my book! https://mybook.to/82BK2En Support me with Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hwabpodcast https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11021.pdf https://www.academia.edu/download/90336212/latest.pdf...
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Exciting news!
I'm gonna restart the @hwabpodcast again!
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Episode 51: Artificial Grass with Richard Dowling
I interview wildlife campaigner Richard Dowling (@DowlingWildlife on Twitter) about artificial grass. In this episode we talk about what the problems are with it, what the best low-maintenance plants are for your lawn as alternatives to grass, what to do if your landlord won't let you get rid of…
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Episode 49 (50!): A walk around a nature reserve
I walk around a nature reserve near my house and look for ladybirds. Apologies in advance for the poor sound quality, I didn't really edit this and recorded it on a phone :) Music by Debra Torrance. Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/hwabpodcast Like my facebook page:...
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Episode 50 (49!): Interview with Helen Roy!
For episode 50, I interviewed Professor Helen Roy who manages the UK Ladybird Survey. She is the author of several books including the Field Guide to the Ladybirds of the UK and Ireland and one of the most well-known ladybird experts in the world. She's also president of the Royal Entomological...
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Episode 48: Calvia quatuordecimguttata - The Cream-Spot Ladybird
All about the cream-spot ladybird. Does include a discussion of reproduction with some mildly strong language so take care while listening! Featuring a promo for the Wild Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wild-episode/id1364093026 @WildEpisode on Twitter Buy me a coffee:...
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Episode 47: Ladybirds in Cemeteries
I interview Mark Welfare from the Northeast Ladybird Spot, and Juliet Wilson and Per Smiseth from Cemetery Wildlife Watch about ladybirds in cemeteries. Around 35 minutes in, the zoom recording cut out, so apologies if it goes a bit weird around then! Visit Juliet's Etsy shop:...
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Bonus Episode#2: Cheilomenes bidentata - The Lipstick Ladybird
Find out about a little-known South African ladybird. Please note that the 'meandering black line' description was not mine but was said by one of the commenters on the posts I looked at for this episode. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107697606...
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Episode 46: Ladybirds in Ukraine
Have you ever wondered about ladybirds in Ukraine? Find out all about ladybirds in Ukrainian culture, how many types of ladybirds there are in Ukraine and more. Help Ukraine: Disasters Emergency Committee - https://www.dec.org.uk/ Ukrainian Institute -...
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Episode 45: Epilachna varivestis - The Mexican Bean Beetle
Learn about a ladybird that is one of the world's worst pests of soybeans. Podcast recommendation - Gardeners of the Galaxy (@orbitalgardens on Twitter) Follow me on Twitter: @hwabpodcast Follow me on Instagram: 365.ladybird Buy me a coffee at https://www.ko-fi/hwabpodcast Like my facebook page:...
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Episode 44: Ladybirds and Spiders with Tea Francis
Despite what it says in the intro this is episode 44. I talk to spider advocate Tea Francis about the relationship between ladybirds and spiders. We talk about the rare and beautiful Ladybird Spider, what spiders do with ladybirds in their webs, spiders which eat aphids, how to start keeping...
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Episode 43: Threats to endangered species with Steve Allain
Steve Allain talks me through the changes to protection of endangered species and possible threats to their survival from proposed government legislation and changes to their status. Please note it says 'episode 44' in the intro because it's being released slightly out of order... Record…
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Episode 42: Chilocorus stigma - The Twice-Stabbed Ladybug
This week's episode is all about the twice-stabbed ladybug. Found in North America, this ladybird has interesting genetics and a weird lifestyle. Plus, hear an update with new information about the kidney spot! Podcast recommendation - The Wild Episode with Brian Ruckley. Follow...
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Episode 41: Propylea quattuordecimpunctata - The 14-Spot Ladybird
Find out about a ladybird with square spots that can be said to resemble a clown face, a football, an emoji, an anchor and more! This week's podcast recommendation is @PodcastSpecies - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zYTg2YzFmMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Talk Ag To Me episode:...
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Episode 40: 1976 Part 2 - Memories of 1976 with CJ Romer
I talk to paranormal investigator CJ Romer about his memories of 1976, the year when 23 billion ladybirds invaded the UK. We have a fun conversation about his recollection of the ladybird invasion, the sensationalism of the media, how to communicate with a ghostly ladybird and more! You can read...
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Episode 39: What happened in 1976? Part 1.
You might have heard about the ladybird invasion of 1976. In Part 1 of this special 2-part episode, I talk about what happened in that famous year and talk about possible scientific explanations of what might have happened, as well as the impact on the society and community. Podcast…
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Episode 38: Cheilomenes sexmaculata - The 6-Spotted Zigzag Ladybird
Discover the world of the 6-spotted zigzag ladybird, a commonly found ladybird in India and the Pacific. Picture used on the episode artwork by Renju from Kerala, India (user: Renjusplace on wikipedia) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheilomenes_sexmaculata,_ladybird_10.jpg Sources:...
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Episode 37: Ladybirds and Ants
A deep dive into the relationships between ladybirds and ants. With a podcast recommendation for Just Plain Wrong - @plainwrongpod on Twitter. My apologies for the muffled audio quality on this episode - in the first version it sounded very uneven. Sources:...
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Episode 36: Ladybirds in Palestine with Mohammad Najajrah and Mazin Qumsiyeh
In 2019 Mohammad Najajrah and Mazin Qumsiyeh from the Palestine Museum of Natural History, at the University of Bethlehem, carried out the first ever study of ladybirds in the West Bank. They found 35 species. In this episode, I talked to them about their work, how the Israeli occupation is...
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Episode 35: Oenopia shirkuhensis
Learn about a newly discovered ladybird from the Shirkuh mountain range in Iran, only confirmed as a new species in 2020. Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of a ladybird's genitalia. Listen to the UK Wildlife Podcast's latest episode here:...
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Episode 34: Halmus chalybeus - The SteelBlue Ladybird
Learn about a metallic blue ladybird native to Australia. Plus, coming up is the UK Wildlife Podcast's 50th episode - stay tuned for the link! The picture is by user Raewyn on Wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steelblue_Ladybird_(Halmus_chalybeus)_on_leaf.jpg...
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Episode 33: Ladybird Books ... Interview with Helen Day
Helen Day who runs the website Ladybird Fly Away Home, dedicated to vintage Ladybird Books, talks to me about the history of the company, the artists involved, the topics covered, the most popular series and much more. You can find Helen's website at http://www.ladybirdflyawayhome.com or find her...
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Episode 32: Coccinella undecimpunctata - The 11-Spot Ladybird
Find out about the ladybird behind Ladybird Books - the 11-spot ladybird. With a promo for CritterCast podcast. Also please check out Ryan Dalton's Into the Wild :) Correction: The two white dots are on the ladybird's head not the pronotum. Sources: Spotlight Ladybirds by Richard Comont Helen Roy...
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Episode 31: Scymnus interruptus - The Red-Flanked Scymnus Ladybird
Learn about the tiny inconspicuous ladybird Scymnus interruptus! With a recommendation for Grubbing in the Filth podcast. Take a look at @gtifpodcast on Twitter or wherever you get your podcasts. Look out for CritterCast's episode next week! Check them out at @CastCritter on Twitter,...
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Episode 30: Synonycha grandis - The Giant Bamboo Ladybird (Golden 13 Star Ladybird)
This week, learn about the Giant Bamboo Ladybird, one of the biggest ladybirds in the world - and some of the fiercest aphids in the world, living in South East Asian bamboo forests. With a promo for the RedHanded podcast. Sources:...
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Bonus Episode#1: Coccinella saucerotti
Discover a mysterious ladybird which feeds on leaf-beetle larvae, in this bonus episode for Hidden Wings and Bloodlust. Sources: Studies on leaf-beetles in Turkey: https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19931180571 https://www.cabi.org/isc/abstract/19931180570...
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Episode 29: Coccinella quinquepunctata - The 5-Spot Ladybird
Find out all about the 5-spot ladybird and its unusual habitat in Wales and Scotland. Thank you to Daryn Johnson for pronouncing the Welsh place-names! Sources: https://influentialpoints.com/biocontrol/Coccinella_quinquepunctata_five-spot_ladybird.htm...
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Episode 28: What is a ladybird?
This show will tell you about how a ladybird is defined and how insects are categorised. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/157423.htm - Article about Linnaeus and racism https://twitter.com/UKWildlifePod/status/1371340383410589697 - UK Wildlife episode on ladybirds with Helen Roy...
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Episode 27: 'How a Ladybug Changed My Life' with Rodney C Burris
Rodney C Burris, a professional development coach and speaker based in Baltimore, tells me how a ladybird (or ladybug) changed his life and gave him a respect for all life. We have a fun conversation on topics such as why there's no such thing as a coincidence, pest control and more! You can view...
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Episode 26: Hippodamia arctica - Tundramarihøne
Hear about an incredible ladybird that lives in the Arctic! Sources - A Natural History of the Ladybird Beetles by Michael Majerus Spotlight Ladybirds by Richard Comont https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00305316.2020.1763871 - Review of the genus Hippodamia in the Palearctic region…
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Episode 25: Ladybird Diseases
Find out the gory details of what diseases ladybirds can get, including male-killing bacteria, fungal infections and more! Plus learn why some of them can actually end up helping the ladybird! Buy me a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/G2G63KMOK :) Podcasts I've listened to this week include the…
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Episode 24: Ladybirds in the Winter
All about what ladybirds do in winter. With a promo for the new book Histeridae, Sphaeritidae and Silphidae of Britain and Ireland, by Lane, Lucas and Whiffin. You can buy it here:...
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Episode 23: Listeners' Questions
Listener's questions are out! Find out why you might not be able to smell a ladybird, why ladybirds snuggle together in the winter, how they are affected by global warming and more. With a promo for How to Enjoy Experimental Film with Daniel Adams, available on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get...