Arthro-Pod EP 61 Important Insects in History

Howdy, howdy bug lovers! On today's episode, the Arthro-Pod gang discuss how insects have shaped human history in war, trade, and even drinking! If you have ever wanted to know more about insects impacted invasions, how cochineal insects changed the world, or how mosquitoes helped make gin and tonics, this is the episode for you!

Mexican Indian Collecting Cochineal with a Deer Tail by José Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez (1777)

Show notes

Bugged by Sarah Albee helped us to generate this episode
An article from the Smithsonian on cochineal

Check out The Great Insect Fair at Penn State!

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @bugmanjon, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 60 Autumn Caterpillars on the Move

Howdy, howdy bug lovers! Today the Arthro-Pod gang discuss the numerous caterpillars you can encounter as fall sets in. Some caterpillars overwinter as larvae, hidden in leaf
litter or soil, others pupate first to wait out the cold. We start seeing more
of both kinds, right now, as they leave trees and plants they were feeding on
and search for that perfect comfy spot. 

Tune in to learn about different species you might encounter, why some fuzzy caterpillars shouldn't be touched, and tools to help you identify caterpillars you discover! 

The fuzzy and cute, banded woolly bear caterpillar (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)

Show notes

Can the woolly bear predict the weather (no, it cannot)

The truth about hickory tussock moths

Come to Kentucky and visit our woolly worm festival!

What caterpillars can "sting" you?

Check out some sites that can help with identification-

https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
https://www.inaturalist.org/

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @bugmanjon, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 59: Ticks, Scabies, and Bears- Oh My! Meet Dr. Erika Machtinger

In today's episode Mike meets up with Dr. Erika Machtinger to discuss the intersection of arthropod vectors and wildlife! Learn about how the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment are all intertwined with an emphasis on vector borne disease. 

If you like ticks and scabies it will be your favorite episode. Oh, and bears too. Tune in!

Show notes:

Erika's lab website
Erika's PSU webpage
Her Twitter

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @JLarson_UNL, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 58: Stored Product Pests with Rob Morrison

Howdy, howdy bug lovers! Today Jody and Jonathan meet up with Dr. Rob Morrison of the USDA to talk about stored product pests. Insects in this category can eat or spoil the food we wish to eat and affect all of our lives! Rob is an expert in their biology and control and talks about all the ways we try to deal with these pests as well as new ideas for the future. Tune in to hear about weevils, fumigation, and more!

Red flour beetles in flour (photo by Rob Morrison)

A Prostephanus beetle on corn (photo by Rob Morrison)

Show notes:

Rob's review of sanitation and stored product pest management:  https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/3/77/htm

His official USDA-ARS website is here: https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/mhk/cgahr/spieru/people/rob-morrison/

An “unofficial” but more recently updated lab website is here:https://williamrobertmorrisoniii.wordpress.com/

The Morrison lab in 2018

Rob is also a really talented photographer! Check out his work at:https://www.robmorrisonphoto.com/

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @JLarson_UNL, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 57: Meet Matt O'Neal of The Soybean Pest Podcast

Howdy, howdy bug lovers! Today's show features a mobile interview with Dr. Matt O'Neal of Iowa State. Matt was in Lincoln, NE to give a departmental seminar and Jody and Jonathan make the journey to meet him on campus!

Matt works on the pests of annual crops and focuses most of his time on soybeans. He is also the co-host of an entomology podcast called "The Soybean Pest Podcast" with Dr. Erin Hodgson! You should check it out, as they have a really fun time talking about many topics!!

Thanks to Matt for joining us and talking about science, parenting, and podcasting (amongst other things!). 

Show notes:

Learn more about the Soybean Pest Podcast here

Matt O'Neal's page with Iowa State

The Bugeaters FC team page

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @JLarson_UNL, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 56: Brrr! Are the bugs frozen?

With the polar vortex descending upon much of the Midwestern US, there are lots of people wondering if Old Man Winter is killing those pesky bugs. The short answer is, no probably not! For the long answer, tune in to hear Jody, Mike, and Jonathan discuss insect overwintering strategies!

Show notes:

Some basics on insect overwintering: 
https://www.amentsoc.org/insects/fact-files/overwintering.html
https://bugguide.net/node/view/163372

Stink bug article
https://www.wthr.com/article/polar-vortex-may-have-killed-95-percent-stink-bug-population

XKCD Comic
https://xkcd.com/1321/

Frozen nematodes return to life
http://www.siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/worms-frozen-in-permafrost-for-up-to-42000-years-come-back-to-life/

Questions? Comments? 

Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_Podshow

Follow the hosts on Twitter @JLarson_UNL, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36

Get the show through iTunes!

Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!  

We're also on Stitcher!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Arthro-Pod EP 55 Bed bugs strike back!

Howdy, howdy bug lovers! Today, the Arthro-Pod gang return to talk more about bed bugs! We know that they aren't the favorite insect of  most people, but they are an important pest that deserves discussion! 

Last episode was all about trying to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you after holiday travel and today's is all about managing populations if you do have an issue. We cover heat treatments, using insecticides, why monitoring tools help, and even bed bug management on a budget. Tune in to hear all about it!

Bed bugs can be up to 1/4 long when mature and engorged with blood, Photo by Jody Green

Show notes


Bed Bud Interceptors by Mike Merchant from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Insects in the City. 
https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/bed-bugs/ent-3012/

Articles about using interceptors:
https://www.bedbugcentral.com/press/interceptors-biggest-game-changing-tool-encasements

Infestations are not limited to beds. Individuals who sleep on recliners or sofas can be bitten and have infested furniture. 

Products Mentioned:

Aprehend - biological pesticide - Beauveria bassiana
https://www.aprehend.com/

Cirkil - Plant-based biopesticide - Neem Oil
https://www.cirkil.com/

EcoRaider
Natural product - Geranoil, Cedar Oil (with university research supporting efficacy)
https://ecoraiderusa.com/

Bed Bug Field Guide App from Ohio State
https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/new-ohio-state-app-helps-users-identify-prevent-and-control-bed-bugs

https://www.pctonline.com/article/osu-jones-bed-bug-field-guide-app/

Video about Home Fumigation for bed bugs from Douglas Products
https://youtu.be/Kc9DaGXh7s0