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 collection, support habitat restoration, and spread awareness about the importance of pollinators. Your efforts help ensure that monarchs and countless other pollinators thrive for generations to come.

Resources and Links:

Milkweed Matters Website: https://milkweedmatters.org/

Monarch Watch: https://monarchwatch.org/blog/

Radio tracking Monarchs: https://monarchjointventure.org/blog/revolutionary-tracking-study-follows-monarchs

Motus: https://motus.org/

Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

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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 about more than woodworking. It is about rethinking waste, honoring the life of trees, and recognizing the tiny ecosystems that exist all around us, even in urban spaces.

She walks us through the entire process, from sourcing local wood to milling and kiln drying using advanced vacuum technology. Along the way, she explains the critical steps needed to eliminate pests like powderpost beetles and wood boring beetles, offering practical insight into how entomology intersects with craftsmanship.

Visit Omaha Wood Company in person or connect with them on social media to learn more.

Website: https://omahawood.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omahawoodco/

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Thank you so much for listening!

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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Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

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Thank you so much for listening!

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

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 moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

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/

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 moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

Thank you so much for listening!

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.

If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!

Thank you so much for listening!

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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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.

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 moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!