Episodes
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Flies are amazing insects that play critical roles in our environment including pollination, waste disposal, pest control, and as a link in the food web. Flies are greatly diverse in colors, shape, size, and where they live. Butterflies and bees probably generate more enthusiasm, but itâs time to change that.
To talk about flies with us, we are joined by Dr. Erica McAlister, who works at the Natural History Museum in London, where she is the principal curator for Diptera and Siphonaptera, i.e., flies and fleas. Erica takes a particular interest in three groups of flies, fungus gnats, assassin flies, and mosquitoes. The latter means that inevitably she is involved with many projects related to identification of mosquitoes and which ones are associated with spread of malaria and other diseases and viruses, but her experience is much broader, including teaching entomology in Dominica and studying the invertebrates â more specifically, the flies â of that island. Finally, Erica is also the award-winning author of four books, including The Secret Life of Flies and The Inside Out of Flies.
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Cover Photo: Whitney Cranshaw - Bugwood CC - Tachinid fly (Trichopoda pennipes)
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Who doesnât know the high-pitched whine of a nearby mosquito? We know they can be a nuisance, and in many regions, a health risk because of their ability to spread diseases. Some communities do public control campaigns, and increasingly, companies are offering home spraying of yards. But, the insecticides used in these sprays are broadly toxic to insects, and the risk they pose to pollinators isn't fully understood. In the summer of 2023, Xerces did a study looking at how these insecticides spread across the landscape.
Joining us to talk about the study is Aaron Anderson, who has been a member of Xercesâ pesticide reduction team for a couple of years. Aaronâs work focuses on reducing pesticide use in residential landscapes, including promoting alternative pest-control measures and pollinator-friendly gardening practices. Prior to joining Xerces, he researched pollinator conservation in urban landscapes, restored habitat for several endangered butterfly species, and worked in insect biocontrol. If that wasnât cool enough, Aaron has been on Bug Banter before, also talking about mosquitoes.-
Photo: Woodland Mosquito-Katja Schulz-Flickr CC
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Earthworms. They may elicit memories of digging through the dirt, probably as a child, and picking them up to discover what they are. But what do they do other than slink around and bury themselves in the soil?
To help us explore this fascinating invertebrate are Jennifer Hopwood and Stephanie Frischie. Regular listeners will remember Jennifer â sheâs been on Bug Banter before to talk about beetles and wasps. She is a Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist with Xerces, providing resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and restoration in a variety of landscapes. Stephanie is Xercesâs Agronomist and Native Plant Materials Specialist. Stephanie works to improve the supply and growth of important plant species for the restoration of insect habitat. Additionally, and most pertinent to todayâs conversation, she leads the Xerces Soil Life project that focuses on soil invertebrate ecology and soil health.---
Photo credit: S Shepherd Schizoform, CC 2.0
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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More than ever, communicating scientific information effectively is critical to conservation efforts. But how exactly do we do that?
To explore this topic is award-winning science communicator and entomologist, Gwen Pearson. In addition to her work writing for WIRED Magazine, Highlights For Kids, and other science news outlets, she's run an insect zoo and worked as an Extension Entomologist in various roles. She's now retired and is an Outreach Ambassador for the Xerces Society.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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The United States Environmental Protection Agency, also known as the EPA, is tasked with regulating pesticides to protect people and the environment from their impacts. To test these impacts, the EPA uses honey bees. This might seem reasonable, but the honey bee is not native to North America and its social colony structure is unique and not representative of the thousands of native species of bees in the United States. The reliance on the honey bee for testing has profound implications for the safety of our native bees and other pollinators, given their vastly different life histories.
Joining us to cover this topic are Aimee Code from the Xerces Society and Sharmeen Morrison from Earthjustice. Aimee is Xercesâs pesticide program director. She and her staff evaluate the risks of pesticides, develop technical guidance, and advocate for actions that reduce reliance on and risks of pesticide use in both urban and agricultural settings. Sharmeen is a senior associate attorney with Earthjusticeâs Biodiversity Defense Program, which engages in national litigation to confront the major drivers of biodiversity loss. In this role, she has worked to protect manatees in Floridaâs Indian River Lagoon, golden-cheeked warblers in Texas Hill Country, and insect pollinators nationwide. Together, Aimee and Sharmeen are working to change how the EPA regulates pesticides.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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The monarch butterfly is popular and currently in the news a lot. You might think that we know all there is to know about it, but there are many mysteries remaining, particularly about their migration and how they use their habitat. This may be more so for the western population that overwinters in California. Radio tracking has long been used for studying the movement and habitat use of bigger animals. Advances in this technology mean it is emerging as a tool that can provide scientists with some answers about tiny animals too.
To explore how radio tracking â also called radio telemetry â can be used with monarchs, we are joined by Ashley Fisher. Ashley is an endangered species conservation biologist and a monarch overwintering specialist with the Xerces Society. Based near the overwintering sites in California, Ashley manages Xercesâ overwintering habitat database and helps facilitate research projects, working with Xerces partnering organizations and universities. She also works with local land managers in communities along the central coast of California to provide guidance on the management and restoration of overwintering sites.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Bees, butterflies, beetles â populations of almost any group of insects you can name seem to be falling. But how do we know they are falling, how can we find out how well insects are doing? Monitoring is an essential tool for understanding the abundance and distribution of species, as well as how they respond to conservation efforts.
To explore this further, we are talking with Matt Forister, professor of biology and insect ecology in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. He has studied butterflies and other insects in the western US for the last 20 years, and has published more than 100 journal articles and book chapters on issues that include insects adapting to exotic plants and butterflies responding to a changing climate. Matt is also a long-time scientific advisor to the Xerces Society and our staff have undertaken several research projects with his lab.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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In one of our first episodes we spoke with Sarina Jepsen, the director of our Endangered Species team, about what it means for a species to be federally listed, specifically through the Endangered Species Act. However, species can also be listed through individual states, but not all states are the same, and some states donât have legislation to protect insects. It is an interesting story!
Joining us to talk about the importance of a stateâs authority to protect insects are Kevin Burls and Rosemary Malfi. As Xercesâ Director of Conservation Policy, Rosemary supports and advocates for policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels that promote the health and conservation of invertebrate species. Presently, Rosemary is leading Xercesâ campaign to pass legislation to define insects as wildlife in states where they are omitted from this definition under the law. Rosemary holds a Doctorate in environmental sciences with a background in native pollinator protection and pesticide policy reform.
Kevin is one of Xerces Endangered Species Conservation Biologists. His work includes collaborating with land managers and scientists to understand the conservation needs of butterfly species, then advocating for their protection by crafting conservation guidelines and legislation with agencies and policy makers at the regional, state, and federal levels. Kevin holds a Doctorate in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology with a background in western butterflies and other native pollinators, and science education.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Many of us likely have childhood memories of a zoo visit: gibbons swinging above us, lions pacing, a polar bear taking a plunge. Zoos also can play an important role in conservation, particularly for insects. One example is the work done at the San Diego Zoo to help invertebrates by solving mysteries about their habitat and life cycle needs, in some cases bringing back species on the brink of extinction.
Joining us to talk about this work is Paige Howorth. Paige leads the Entomology Department at the San Diego Zoo, where she is involved with the day-to-day care of dozens of species of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates in the zooâs collection, as well as leading conservation programs for rare species. In addition, Paige serves on the steering committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariumsâ Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group and co-leads the AZA SAFE (save animals from extinction) program for the North American monarch butterfly. Sheâs also been a collaborator with Xerces for many years.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Community science is critical to conservation efforts and the Bumble Bee Atlas is no exception. Volunteers across the country have contributed to the Atlas program through bumble bee surveys, providing crucial information on bumble bee abundance and distribution. This information informs conservation efforts and makes a real difference.
To tell us more about the Bumble Bee Atlas are two of our newest Atlas coordinators, Amy Dolan and Michelle Toshack. Between them they cover much of the Rocky Mountain and intermountain regions. Amy coordinates the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Amy has a masterâs degree in entomology from Montana State University, where she studied bumble bees, and has a background in science education. Michelle covers Montana, and has a masters in biological sciences from Simon Fraser University, where she researched pollinator biodiversity and the impacts of farming practices on bumble bees. She has a background in field biology and managing community science projects.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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When we see a dragonfly, we normally see adults, which are capable of impressive aerobatics and have astonishing eyesight. Yet these fearsome aerial predators began life underwater, and when they undergo the transformation from nymph to adult they also change from water to air. Dragonflies truly are amazing!
Joining us to talk about these incredible animals is Dr. Jessica Ware from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where she is an Associate Curator and the current Division Chair in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology. Jessicaâs research focuses on the evolution of behavioral and physiological adaptations in insects, with an emphasis on how these occur in dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies. Her research group uses genetics to study the evolutionary relationships between species and uses these tools to inform their work on reproductive, social, and flight behaviors in insects.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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We all love a success story and what better tale to tell than the one about the Fenderâs blue? Once thought extinct, this butterfly was rediscovered 35 years ago, since when it has made a comeback thanks to hard work by dedicated scientists, land owners, agency staff, and many others.
To tell us this story of hope, we are joined today by two people whose long-time collaboration has been central to this success. Cheryl Schultz is a Professor at Washington State University in Vancouver, where she studies the ecology of at-risk species, particularly butterflies of the PNW prairies. Mikki Collins works for the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and is currently the Willamette Valley Recovery Coordinator.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Moths are largely creatures of the night, which means they may not get as much publicity as their day-flying relative, butterflies. Moths are more diverse than butterflies, probably more abundant, and most certainly play a key role in the natural world. Honestly, moths are some of the coolest insects and we are excited to highlight them in todayâs episode.
Joining us to talk about moths is Dr. David Wagner, an entomologist and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on the biosystematics of moths and invertebrate conservation. That means he doesnât only work to understand how moths relate to each other, but also how they interact with the outside world, the threats they face, and how we can work to protect them. He is the author of several books, including Caterpillars of Eastern North America, which won a National Outdoor Book Award in 2006 and is now an app for phones, so you can take Daveâs wisdom with you wherever you go.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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October 12th is World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. This year's theme for the campaign is âProtect Insects, Protect Birds,â underscoring the importance of invertebrates to migratory birds. Xerces is also, for the first time, an official partner in World Migratory Bird Day, so we are focusing this episode on the intersection between birds and bugs.
To talk about this incredibly important relationship we are joined by Chris Elphick, Professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, where he is also affiliated with the universityâs Center of Biological Risk. Chris is a conservation biologist, an applied ecologist, or an ornithologist, depending on his mood (his words, not mine). His research interests span behavioral, population, community, and landscape ecology.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Join us for part two of our exciting conversation on spiders with Sebastian Echeverri, Communications Specialist in Science & Digital Media for the Xerces Society.
Sebastian completed his PhD, studying why and how paradise jumping spiders get their audience's attention when pulling off their fanciest dance moves. He has also written a field guide for spiders and has a collection of pet arachnids.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Spiders. There is a lot that people don't know about these interesting creatures. What makes them unique and what role do they play in our environment?
Joining us today to talk about spiders, is Sebastian Echeverri, Communications Specialist in Science & Digital Media for the Xerces Society. Sebastian completed his PhD, studying why and how paradise jumping spiders get their audience's attention when pulling off their fanciest dance moves. He has also written a field guide for spiders and has a collection of pet arachnids.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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An important element in the success of pollinator conservation efforts is communities of passionate people taking action. Today we will highlight one Xerces Society program that is helping people to do just that, Bee City USA. Established in 2012, Bee City has been uniting communities around a shared goal of creating meaningful change for pollinators through policy change, habitat creation, and education.
To tell us about this wonderful program is Laura Rost, National Coordinator of Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA. Laura has been with the Xerces Society since 2014, first working in Membership, before transitioning into this role. Before Xerces, she worked for a variety of environmental groups on issues ranging from instream water rights to green building.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Wasps. That word alone may make you squirm. They arenât fluffy and cute like their close relatives bees and donât have the best reputation, but they do play an important role in our environment. It seems like they need a PR makeover.
Joining us to do just that are Jennifer Hopwood and Rae Powers. They both work at the Xerces Society, and coincidentally, both live in Nebraska. Jennifer is a Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, and has been on Bug Banter before to talk about beetles. Rae is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist and NRCS Partner Biologist.Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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Weâve all heard about climate change. Itâs a rather complicated issue. One that has come up several times in this podcast as we discuss the threats facing invertebrates. So in this episode, we will focus on what we can expect as our climate changes and what that means for our pollinators. And of course, what actions you can take to help these important insects in the face of climate change.
Joining us to talk about this issue is Angela Laws, Xerces Society Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Climate Change Lead. Her role at the Xerces Society involves incorporating climate resiliency into pollinator restoration projects. Angela has over 15 years of experience studying arthropods in grassland habitats, including studies of how climate change can affect species interactions.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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In this episode of Bug Banter, we are closing out our series on butterflies by exploring those found in the Rockies. From prairies to mountain tops, the Rockies are made up of a diversity of ecosystems varying in altitude and temperature.
To learn more about these amazing creatures, we are joined by Steve Armstead, a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with the Xerces Society who has a particular focus on Nature-Based Climate Solutions. Steve is based in Colorado, where he partners on efforts to manage and create high-quality, connected, climate-resilient pollinator habitat.
Thank you for listening! For more information go to xerces.org/bugbanter.
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