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.

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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 this episode:

• Meet Dr. Joanie King, extension entomologist at New Mexico State University
• The behavior and role of harvester ants in arid and semi-arid environments
• How seed preferences vary among different harvester ant species and their impact on restoration efforts
• Exploring the diversity of harvester ants such as Pogonomyrmex and Novomessor species
• Techniques for keeping and studying harvester ants in the lab
• The surprising connections between insects and popular culture, including their representation in films and sci-fi/comic conventions

Links and resources:

• Where to find Joanie King: https://eppws.nmsu.edu/faculty-staff/faculty.html
• Ask An Entomologist
• AntWiki - Comprehensive resource for ant taxonomy and behavior
• AntWeb - High-resolution ant specimen images and IDs

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Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

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Thank you so much for listening!

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 conversation highlights her innovative approach to science communication, qualitative research methods, and her love for continuous learning.

In this episode:

• Louise’s path from childhood curiosity to professional entomology
• The role of nature in fostering wonder and scientific inquiry
• How she integrates qualitative research into insect outreach and education
• Strategies for shifting public perceptions of insects and arthropods
• Balancing teaching, extension, and research in higher education
• The value of experiential learning courses for students
• Using storytelling and soft skills to enhance science communication
• Insights on managing student mentorship and fostering growth mindset
• The impact of community science and long-term outreach programs like Bugfest
• Her favorite MasterClass courses and continuous professional development

To get to know Louise:

• UNL Directory: https://entomology.unl.edu/person/dr-louise-i-lynch-obrien/
• Faculty Spotlight: https://ianrnews.unl.edu/faculty-spotlight-louise-lynch-obrien
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/civicentolab/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlynchobrien/
• UNL Online M.S. in Entomology: https://entomology.unl.edu/academic-programs/online-master-science-entomology/

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Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

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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_cladogram_of_arthropod_pokemon/#lightbox 

https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/64/3/159/5098346

Entomology Today interview on last article

https://entomologytoday.org/2018/10/22/how-pokemon-opens-door-entomology-education/

The Entomological Diversity of Pokemon

https://jgeekstudies.org/2018/10/12/entomological-diversity-of-pokemon/

The Phylogeny of Pokemon

https://www.improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume18/v18i4/Phylogeny-Pokemon.pdf

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Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

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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.

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Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

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Thank you so much for listening!

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 are so cool, and how they deal with the cold.

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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 honor Bradon Coy of Lil' Dudes Insect Academy. Bradon has sadly left us, but his impact and dreams remain. If you have the means, you can honor his legacy by visiting https://www.lildudesinsectacademy.com/memorial and making a donation. 

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 their relatives have affected religion. 

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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 is primarily found, potential evolutionary history of the pathogen and kissing bugs, non-bug transmission routes, and whether we should be concerned that it is endemic to North America north of Mexico.

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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

https://insessionfilm.com/film-at-25-mimic-a-rare-misfire-in-guillermo-del-toros-remarkable-career/

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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 innovative sterile insect technique that has been pivotal in controlling this pest, as well as the recent outbreaks and the importance of ongoing monitoring and vigilance to prevent its return. The episode concludes with a call for awareness and resources for those in affected areas.

Resources:

Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG)

USDA APHIS New World Screwworm

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association New World Screwworm Resources

CDC Clinical Overview of New World Screwworm

US FDA Information for Veterinarians

Texas A&M New World Screwworm Factsheets

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