Grubbing In The Filth: An Invertebrate Podcast

Spiders are animals of great cultural heft - divisive and evocative. In this episode, we largely eschew this - and instead, give the spiders a chance to just be spiders. Lets worry later about how we feel about spiders, and instead think about what a spider is, and how spiders live. Tom is joined by Professor Mariella Herberstien, behavioural ecologist, arachnologist and Eurovision Song Contest devotee, to discuss the incredible lives of spiders, giving a broad overview of these amazing animals. We discuss social behavior in spiders, the sensory world of spiders, deceptive behaviour, some of the functions of silk and the difficulties of connecting genetics with behaviour. 

If you'd like to get in touch please contact [email protected] or look up grubbing in the filth on instagram on twitter. 

Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' begins, 'I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities'.  In this podcast, we do just that. In this episode, we learn about insect metamorphosis, how it occurs, and how we as humans relate to this strange process. Tom speaks with Connor Butler, scientist and ecologist, about insect transformation and lifecycles, with particular focus on Dung Beetles. Connor also runs us through the transformative lifecycles of frogs and other amhpibians (as a comparative exercise, which does not invalidate this podcast's remit).

Another buzzing episode. In this episode, Tom speaks with entomologist Charlotte Alberts about Assassin flies, and about flies more broadly. We learn all about the intruiging, deadly world of the Assassin Flies, what defines them and how they live, whilst also touching on the fly order (diptera) more broadly. As well as learning about flies as animals, we also consider the fraught nature of our relationship with flies, and have a chance to reflect on what it means to value and care about the smallest lives.

Cockroaches are not well liked. They have become symbols of dillapidation and decay. In this episode, we will see what we can learn about  cockroaches, when we give ourselves permission to be fascinated by them. Tom speaks with Professor Dominic Evangelista, a cockroach expert, to learn more about these harshly-judged animals. We also speak about EntoPOC, a fantastic initiative which Dominic is a part of. EntoPOC  strives to redress inequalities within the scientific community by providing people of colour with paid memberships to various entomological societies, making participation, scientific communication and outreach more inclusive to POC.

You can donate, apply for membership, and read more here: https://www.entopoc.org

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. In this episode, Tom speaks with Elizabeth Mills of Marine Mumbles about her passion for rockpooling, and the animals that can be found at the shore. We discuss an incredible range of creatures, from seaside favourites like crabs and barnacles, to the less familiar...

What is flying ant day? What are they up to? In this episode, Tom is joined by Miles Maxcer, myrmecologist and director of The Ant Network to discuss the phenomenon of Flying Ant Day, and the fascinating science behind it. We discuss the life cycle of an ant colony, and look at some of the  ways different species of ant found and develop their colonies.  

What we talk about when we talk about bugs. What is a bug? What is it really? In this first episode, Tom chats with Professor Colin Favret about the true bugs (the hemiptera). Learn what defines the true bugs, the etymology of the word bug, and about the lives of aphids, pond skaters, bed bugs and more. 

If it lacks a backbone, we're interested. In this podcast, we are exploring the world of invertebrates, discovering the amazing lives they lead, and thinking carefully about our relationhips with these much-maligned creatures. With the help of experts, we are lifting stones, peering into the water and grubbing in the filth. 

Written and produced by Tom Sharpe
Music by Will Hatton
Artwork by Will Tapply