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Arthro-Pod

Jonathan Larson

The home for Arthro-Pod,the podcast that teaches you about the weird and wonderful world of insects!

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20 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 12 min
English

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#213
Friday · 1 hr 11 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 213: An Interview with John Acorn, the Nature Nut
In this episode, we chat with John Acorn, who is best known for his television show "Acorn the Nature Nut", about his journey around and into entomology, his time in television, and this impactful career. Michael watched John on TV as a child and later met him as a grad student, so this interview was a special treat for him. We hope you enjoy listening to the interview as much as we enjoyed making it. All episodes of Acorn the Nature Nut can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlis
#212
October 29 · 1 hr 26 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 212: Exploring the Intersection of Veterinary Medicine and Entomology
In this episode, the Arthro-Pod crew sits down with Dr. Drew, a small animal veterinarian based in Frankfort, Kentucky, to dive into the wild world of veterinary entomology. We explore what it's like to play medical detective, how technology is changing animal care, and the real-world challenges practitioners face today. Then, we get into the gritty details of pet parasites—tackling everything from fleas, ticks, and tapeworms to ear mites, delusory parasitosis, and the New World screwworm. Packe
#211
October 16 · 1 hr 17 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 211: The Fire Ant Wars Part Two
Welcome back bug lovers! This is the second episode in a two part series about the history of imported fire ants in the United States and the ways we responded to their presence in the south. Colloquially these could be referred to as the "FIRE ANT WARS"! In this episode, we go deeper into the middle of the 20th century, a time where the wars are cold and the atoms are tamed. The ants however are running riot and some people really want to do something about it. Tune in to find out what they tri
#210
September 23 · 1 hr 25 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 210: The History of Grape Phylloxera and Devastation of French Wine with George Gale
This week we talk with Dr. George Gale about grape phylloxera - how it was introduced into France in the late 1800s, how it devastated French viticulture and wine production, and how ultimately we overcame this pest through hybridization and use of American rootstocks. We also touch upon the history of grape phylloxera in the rest of the world, with a focus on California. __________ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed thro
#209
September 2 · 54 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 209: DNA Barcoding with Dr. Ross Stewart
In this episode, Ross Stewart from the Center for Biodiversity and Genomics discusses the innovative BugQuest project, which uses Malaise traps and DNA barcoding to study insect diversity across Canada. Discover how citizen science, advanced sequencing, and creative outreach are transforming entomology research. BugQuest: https://bioscan.life/bugquest/ University of Guelph News (April 2026): https://news.uoguelph.ca/2026/04/got-bugs-u-of-g-collecting-samples-to-catalogue-canadas-biodiversity/ C
#208
August 20 · 1 hr 23 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 208: The Fire Ant Wars Part One
Welcome back bug lovers! This is the first of a two part series about the history of fire ants in the United States and the ways we responded to their presence in the south. Colloquially these could be referred to as the "FIRE ANT WARS"! You can imagine your own pulse pounding beat to idea... In this episode, we unpack how fire ants arrived in the US, the sequence of events that led to red imported fire ant becoming so common, and the first forays into understanding this pest. Show Notes: ht
#207
July 21 · 1 hr 33 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 207: Teaching and research at a primarily undergraduate institution with Dr. Kevyn Juneau
Welcome back, Arthro-Pod listeners! This week we chat with Kevyn Juneau, Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin - River Falls, about teaching and research at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). We take a deep dive into his habitat restoration work in the Bahamas and how teaching at a PUI is different from a larger (e.g., R1, land grant, state) university. Part of Kevyn's research has been conducted via collaborations made through the Ecological Research as Education Network, whi
#206
July 9 · 1 hr 6 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 206: Apple IPM with Sally Raymond
Hey bug lovers! In today's show, the crew meets up with Sally Raymond to talk all about integrated pest management in apple orchards. Apple production is fascinating and the ways growers manage pests are also unique compared to other ag systems. Tune in to learn about apples as a system, how are pests dealt with in orchards, Sally's work specifically looking at hail netting to stop pests, and how IPM helps the beneficial organisms in the orchard. Show notes: https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien
#205
June 24 · 1 hr 14 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 205: Insect Behavior and Conservation with Dr. Ted Burk
Get ready listeners, this episode is packed with so many things! Jody and Jonathan are joined by Dr. Ted Burk, who really didn't need any questions, prompts or an outline. It is an episode rich in stories about insects, scientific discovery, and conservation efforts—perfect for entomologists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts alike. This interview with entomologist Dr. Burk follows his lifelong path from 4-H insect collecting to a decades-long career in behavior, ecology, and conservatio
#204
June 12 · 57 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 204: Leading the Charge in Entomology with Dr. Melissa Siebert
Join us as we dive into the career journey and leadership insights of Melissa Siebert, a renowned entomologist in industry and the 2026 President of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Discover how her dedication, scientific expertise, and community-building efforts shape the future of entomology and agriculture. Topics Covered: Melissa's background and path into entomology and insecticide development The pipeline of insecticide research: from molecule design to market Leadership journey
#203
May 29 · 1 hr 20 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 203 Insects in Poetry with Tom Turpin
Hello bug lovers! In today's episode, Jody, Jonathan, and Michael are joined by entomology legend, Dr. Tom Turpin of Purdue University. Tom is an ESA fellow, an author (check out Flies in the Face of Fashion, Mites Make Right, and other Bugdacious Tales and What’s Buggin’ You Now? Bee’s Knees, Bug Lites, and Beetles), and is most famous for his work in teaching and outreach. Today, he helps Arthro-Pod to examine the use of insects and their relatives in poetry. If you have every wanted to know
#202
May 15 · 1 hr 26 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 202: Hemlocks and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid with Calvin Norman
This week we chat with Calvin Norman, an extension forester with Penn State, about the importance of hemlock trees in eastern North America and the impact that hemlock woolly adelgid has had on hemlock forests. Spoiler, it's not good. __ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!
#201
April 18 · 52 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 201: Community Outreach Celebrating Monarchs and Milkweed with Nancy Crews
Join us as we dive into the vital role of milkweed for monarch butterfly survival, the community-driven efforts to plant and restore habitats. Our guest, Nancy Crews, director of Milkweed Matters, shares inspiring stories of grassroots initiatives, scientific advancements, and how everyone can contribute to pollinator conservation. Call to Action: Plant native gardens, participate in seed collection, support habitat restoration, and spread awareness about the importance of pollinators. Your effo
#200
April 5 · 1 hr 10 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 200: Interview with Meghan Sundermeier, an Urban Sawyer
Unlock the surprising art and science of transforming urban trees into one-of-a-kind lumber and discover why bugs are part of the story that makes every piece unique. In this episode, Meghan Sundermeier of Omaha Wood Company shares how she salvages urban logs, turning both unwanted and sentimental wood into beautiful, sustainable creations. Guided by a deep respect for nature, Meghan’s work is about more than woodworking. It is about rethinking waste, honoring the life of trees, and recognizing
#199
March 24 · 1 hr 17 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 199: Multitrophic interactions with Jared Ali
Michael and the gang chat with Dr. Jared Ali about his unorthodox journey to becoming an entomologist, making unexpected connections, and exploring multitrophic interactions between plants, herbivores, and pests. ___________________________________________________________ Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when
#198
March 9 · 1 hr 6 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 198: Understanding Harvester Ants with Dr. Joanie King
Michael and Jody speak with Dr. Joanie King to talk about her love of ants, particularly the harvester ants. Discover fascinating insights into harvester ants, their behavior, ecological roles, and ongoing research from an experienced extension entomologist. This episode highlights the complexity of seed foraging, species diversity, and how ants contribute to ecosystems and land management. In this episode: Meet Dr. Joanie King, extension entomologist at New Mexico State University The behavior
#197
February 25 · 1 hr 7 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 197: Celebrating Passion and Pedagogy with Dr. Louise Lynch-O'Brien
Join us in this episode as we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Louise Lynch-O'Brien, a dedicated entomologist, educator, and lifelong learner. From her early days in New York to her impactful work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Louise shares her unique perspective on teaching, community engagement, and the importance of building relationships with insects and people alike. This conversation highlights her innovative approach to science communication, qualitative research methods, and
#196
February 9 · 1 hr 6 min
Arthro-Pod Episode 196 The Arthropods of Pokémon Redux
Join Jonathan and Michael as they return to the pocket universe of Pokémon to revisit the various arthropods you could catch there. This one has some cultural explorations of video games and gamer identities as well as conversation about why Pokémon might appeal specifically to the entomologists of the world. Show Notes https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemon/comments/ckenhi/a_barely_scientific_cladogram_of_arthropod_pokemon/#lightbox https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/64/3/159/5098346 Entomology T
#195
January 20 · 1 hr 1 min
Arthro-Pod EP 195: Insect News Roundup
Happy New Year, Arthro-Pod Listeners! In this episode, each of the hosts choose an intriguing and slightly bizarre insect-related news story to dissect. Among the stories include 1) the controversial topic of cyborg cockroaches being developed for military applications, 2) a disturbing lawsuit involving bed bugs on a plane, and 3) the implications of granting legal rights to stingless bees in Peru. Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can
#194
January 1 · 1 hr 11 min
Arthro-Pod EP 194: Ice crawlers
Happy 2025, Arthro-Pod listeners. We hope this year has treated you as well as it could have and that 2026 is better. During this cold wintery season, Michael and Jonathan say down to talk about ice crawlers, otherwise known as grylloblattids, those enigmatic insects that are associated with glaciers and high mountain environments. Or are they? Listen to the episode to find out why these insects are so cool, and how they deal with the cold. Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or you

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