Bugs Need Heroes

By BugsNeedHeroesScience Education Kids & Family Nature Pets & Animals

Bugs Need Heroes episodes

August 04, 2025 Dude Dad Diaper Bug (GIANT WATER BUGS aka TOE-BITERS)
This episode we are joined by Dr Scott Kight once again to talk about Belostomatidae. We initially planned to do this topic around Father's Day for reasons that will become apparent. Tangents include bears, science teachers, and that Coldplay concert.

Bug discussion begins around 4:20

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. His cats were present but unhelpful.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
1 hr 24 min
July 21, 2025 X-Mantis (MANTIDAE)
This episode contains discussion of sexual cannibalism as we discuss the classic mantis and how they are centaurs. Tangents include eagles, ninjas, and Amanda's art tips.

Bug discussion begins around minute six.

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/x-mantis

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad. His cats did not help at all.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
1 hr 9 min
July 07, 2025 Tergal Lad (COCKROACHES with Dr Aaron Rodriques)
This episode Amanda and Dr Kelly are joined by Dr Aaron Rodriques to discuss German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), overcoming fears, and social secretions. Tangents include crows, decapitations, and the nature of Love. We also wanted to share this short video about Aaron and this article that Amanda references during the conversation.

Follow Aaron on instagram (@arr318)!

We did an episode about cockroaches previously with Arthro-Pod. You can see the cockroach field notes at https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-trash-man-and-tergal-lad
You can see all our guest episodes at https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/bug-heroes
Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from several cats.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
1 hr 14 min
June 23, 2025 The Salty Surfer (WATER STRIDERS)
Kelly and Amanda continue wet bug summer with a discussion of another true bug. These hemipterans have conquered the water surface of ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even the open ocean. Tangents include pokemon, New Jersey, doctor parties, mantis shrimps and some of our past characters. Also Amanda shares terrible story about almost eating a spider.
Bug discussion begins around 10:15
Kelly's field notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-salty-surfer
Water strider jumping video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsD8wahyRq8

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
57 min
June 09, 2025 The Assassins (ASSASSIN BUGS)
This episode we discuss the Reduviidae family, colloquially known as assassin bugs. There are many different kinds and all of them are cunning hunters that turn their prey into Capri Suns and some turn them into fashion. While most are beneficial, there is a deadly exception! Tangents include Naruto ninjas, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Detective Comics Comics' character Ambush Bug.

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-assassins

This Podcast Will Kill You episode about Chagas Disease: https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com/2021/09/07/episode-81-chagas-disease-the-reverse-triple-discovery/

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bugsneedheroes
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad with assistance from Chelsey Bawden
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
Special thanks to Kevin Weiner for sharing his photography and creating the All Bugs Go To Kevin group.
1 hr 9 min
May 26, 2025 The One-trick Magician (WATER SCAVENGER BEETLE)
This week's episode is about a fairly unremarkable aquatic beetle. Tangents include AI generated images, Chris Angel, Hugh Jackman, and horror novels. Includes spoilers for The Prestige.

VIDEO OF THE ESCAPE: https://youtu.be/_W0UJD_i3Mo

Kelly's Field Notes: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/one-trick-magician
Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some assistance from a few cats.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
1 hr 9 min
May 12, 2025 Dr Drosophila (FRUIT FLIES)
Kelly has now become Dr Kelly. Much of the episode is about the process of earning a doctorate. The rest of the episode is devoted to discussion of fruit flies, art history, swords, and friend of the pod, Dr Ped.

Dr Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/dr-drosophila

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some hinderance from a few cats.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
1 hr 29 min
March 31, 2025 Dr Pause
We are taking a break while Kelly mounts her defense.
1 min
March 17, 2025 Bubble Bug(True)^2
Finally, a bug Amanda recognizes! Fortunately, she doesn't know anything about them still so we can have an episode all about spittlebugs (aka froghoppers) and what makes them a true bug. Tangents include the fabric arts, little kid germs, and the grief of aging (as relayed by Bluey).

Kelly's Field Notes on our website: https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/bubble-bug

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some hinderance from a few cats.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
1 hr
March 03, 2025 Lil Dudes Insect Academy
This time we are joined by Bradon Coy of Lil Dudes Insect Academy to discuss his programs, eusocial insects (particularly Argentine Ants), and our favorite bug movies.

Lil' Dudes Insect Academy website

Lil Dudes Insect Academy on Youtube

Please check out our reading lists and feel free to recommend other books. We'll make Kelly read them before putting them on the list. The lists are not connected to Amazon or anything so we make no money off of them.
Adult list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/189312.Bugs_Need_Heroes_Recommended_Reading
Kid's list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/189303.Bug_Books_For_Kids
Happy reading!

Send us questions and suggestions! [email protected]
Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugsneedheroes/
Join us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bugsneedheroes.bsky.social
Join us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BugsNeedHeroes
Hosted by Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimmerman with editing by Derek Conrad and some assistance from Chelsey Bawden and a few cats.
Created by Derek Conrad and Kelly Zimmerman.
Character artwork by Amanda Niday.
Music is Ladybug Castle by Rolemusic.
1 hr 23 min

About Bugs Need Heroes

From the publisher's feed

On each episode of Bugs Need Heroes, an ecologist and an illustrator team-up to create a new insect-inspired super hero. The finished characters are posted to our social media pages and at BugsNeedHeroes.com