How did two beetles cause a gay panic?  There's much more to a cockchafer or ‘maybug’ than meets the eye. 

Join ecologist, Connor Butler, to find out more about what these charismatic creatures can teach us about science, humanity and the fluidity of the natural world. 

Discover more:  

  

You can find out more about Connor’s work and the queer ecology walks here: https://www.connorbutler.co.uk/ 

To visit Osterley Park and House and gardens, or to find out more about its spectacular grounds, find out more here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/osterley-park-and-house 

Further reading:  

This is a HUGE topic of which we’ve only scratched the surface. As part of our research and if you wanted to dig a little deeper, we read: 

Of Maybugs and Men: A History and Philosophy of the Sciences of Homosexuality by Pieter R. Adriaens and Andreas De Block 

and 

Biological Exuberance by Bruce Baghemil 

Special thanks to Laine Kaplan-Levenson from A Field Guide to Gay Animals for taking the time to speak with us while we developed the episode.  

[Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.   

Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.   

Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.   

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/  

  

Production:   

Host: Rosie Holdsworth   

Producer: Marnie Woodmeade  

Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez  

  

Follow Wild Tales on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected to our wild world, you can contact us at [email protected]