Best Invertebrates Podcasts (2024)

1
Aquatic Invertebrates 26:41

16d ago26:41

26:41

Aquatic invertebrates can be a great indicator of pond health and fill important roles in aquatic ecosystems. Join Joe and Drew for a discussion about the value of aquatic invertebrates and how these critters find their way into seemingly isolated water bodies. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in th…

1
Spider Sense Part 2: Unraveling the Secrets of Arachnids 43:51

1h ago43:51

43:51

Join us for part two of our exciting conversation on spiders with Sebastian Echeverri, Communications Specialist in Science & Digital Media for the Xerces Society. Sebastian completed his PhD, studying why and how paradise jumping spiders get their audience's attention when pulling off their fanciest dance moves. He has also written a field guide f…

1
S6.E5 Barbara Wueringer, Discovering The Elusive Sawfish 19:52

3d ago19:52

19:52

Zoologist Dr Barbara Wueringer talks about her work with the fascinating sawfish her research of and how trawling through old newspaper clippings from the Gold Rush era helped to understand more about its historic distribution before gill nets and trophy fishing decimated it's populations.By Wet Tropics Waterways

1
Sunflowers and Opossums 33:11

3d ago33:11

33:11

Fall is in the air in the Great Plains, and the signs include shorter days, cooler mornings, brilliant yellow sunflowers and dispersing mammals. In this episode, Drew and Joe discuss sunflowers, the value that they provide to wildlife, why we see these beautiful plants in some places and not others. The conversation then takes a turn to focus on op…

1
Spider Sense Part 1: Unraveling the Secrets of Arachnids 32:30

10d ago32:30

32:30

Spiders. There is a lot that people don't know about these interesting creatures. What makes them unique and what role do they play in our environment? Joining us today to talk about spiders, is Sebastian Echeverri, Communications Specialist in Science & Digital Media for the Xerces Society. Sebastian completed his PhD, studying why and how paradis…

1
S6.E4 Matt Moore, Fish Passage 25:03

17d ago25:03

25:03

Fisheries ecologist Matt Moore from Catchment Solutions talks about why fish habitat connectivity within waterways is so important and how decisions made to fix fish barriers such as weirs and dams.By Wet Tropics Waterways

1
Bee City and Bee Campus USA: Protecting Pollinators One Community at a Time 35:32

24d ago35:32

35:32

An important element in the success of pollinator conservation efforts is communities of passionate people taking action. Today we will highlight one Xerces Society program that is helping people to do just that, Bee City USA. Established in 2012, Bee City has been uniting communities around a shared goal of creating meaningful change for pollinato…

1
Off-Planet transmission 013: reeducation_beaches_antagonists 40:00

24d ago40:00

40:00

013: reeducation_beaches_antagonists It’s the end of term for one of our cadets, and we hear him disclose first-hand experience of our reeducation program to his compatriot: it was intriguing to witness a disarmed and honest assessment of our methods from one of the courses most mediocre students. We commenced with subject B as he has proven to be …

1
S6.E3 Sam Bastounas, Using Seaweed to Strip Nutrients from Water 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

Sam Bastounas is the CEO of Pacific Bio, an Australian company that develops green technology to address water quality and food security issues. In this podcast, Sam discusses the challenge of purifying water and the development of RegenAqua, a new technology developed with JCU that uses seaweed to strip nutrients from water before it enters waterw…

1
Bats! 29:32

1M ago29:32

29:32

Bats can be fascinating, frustrating, valuable, and spooky all at the same time. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss bat ecology, conservation concerns, disease risk, and steps to take if bats are entering your home or other buildings. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enter…

1
Episode 23: Exploring Wasps: Myths, Facts, and Fascinations 42:55

1M ago42:55

42:55

Wasps. That word alone may make you squirm. They aren’t fluffy and cute like their close relatives bees and don’t have the best reputation, but they do play an important role in our environment. It seems like they need a PR makeover. Joining us to do just that are Jennifer Hopwood and Rae Powers. They both work at the Xerces Society, and coincident…

1
S6.E2 Heidi Tait, Cleaning Up Marine Debris 23:44

2M ago23:44

23:44

Heidi Tait is the founder and Managing Director of Tangaroa Blue, a not for profit organisation focused on removing and preventing marine debris. In this podcast, Heidi talks about the problem of litter in our oceans and the importance of going beyond beach clean ups to tackle debris at its source.By Wet Tropics Waterways

1
Summer Pond Management 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy your pond but the warmer temperatures and increased sunlight can result in oxygen fluctuations and excessive plant growth. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss how pond ecology changes in warmer months, how animals in the pond react to these changes, and what management strategies you can implement to help ensur…

1
S6.E1 Phil Laycock, Results of the 2024 Wet Tropics Waterway Health Report Card 17:41

2M ago17:41

17:41

This is the 9th annual Wet Tropics Waterway Health Report Card to be released by Wet Tropics Waterways to assess the health and condition of freshwater basins, estuaries, inshore and offshore areas of the Wet Tropics in Far North Queensland. Independent Chair Phil Laycock explains some of the key findings in 2024.…

1
Invasive Plant Management 29:07

2M ago29:07

29:07

Invasive plants outcompete native vegetation, destroying habitat for many species of wildlife, degrading native ecosystems, and reducing agricultural productivity. Join us as we discuss strategies and important considerations for invasive plant management. Resources discussed in this episode: KSRE Chemical Weed Control Guide: https://bookstore.ksre…

1
Pollinators in a Changing Climate: Threats and Solutions 33:17

2M ago33:17

33:17

We’ve all heard about climate change. It’s a rather complicated issue. One that has come up several times in this podcast as we discuss the threats facing invertebrates. So in this episode, we will focus on what we can expect as our climate changes and what that means for our pollinators. And of course, what actions you can take to help these impor…

1
Turtles: Ecology, Management, and More! 25:22

3M ago25:22

25:22

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is reintroducing Alligator Snapping Turtles into Kansas. Join us as we discuss why these turtles need introduced, whether you should be concerned about turtles eating fish in your pond, and the many other roles that all turtles play in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew R…

1
Wings of the Rockies: Exploring Butterfly Life Histories 43:24

3M ago43:24

43:24

In this episode of Bug Banter, we are closing out our series on butterflies by exploring those found in the Rockies. From prairies to mountain tops, the Rockies are made up of a diversity of ecosystems varying in altitude and temperature. To learn more about these amazing creatures, we are joined by Steve Armstead, a Pollinator Conservation Special…

1
All About Bees: Celebrating Pollinator Week 58:57

3M ago58:57

58:57

Happy Pollinator Week! In this episode, we are joined by Kass Urban-Mead, Rich Hatfield, and Mace Vaughan for this special Q&A session on bees. You might recognize Kass and Rich from previous podcast episodes, but they are joined by a new face, Mace Vaughan. All three of our guests are colleagues of ours at the Xerces Society. Kass is a Pollinator …

1
Managing Native Grasslands for Wildlife 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

Plant and structural diversity is key when managing native grasslands for wildlife. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the process of promoting diversity and heterogeneity in native grasslands by using disturbances like fire and grazing as tools to manage wildlife habitat in native grasslands. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension speci…

1
Wings of the East: Exploring Butterfly Life Histories 35:30

3M ago35:30

35:30

Continuing with our series on butterflies, we are highlighting the butterflies east of the Rockies, which is a huge area and encompasses so many different environments — prairies in the Great Plains and the Midwest; forests of New England and the Southeast; mountains of the Appalachians; the wetlands and beaches of the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts.…

1
Blue Green Algae and Harmful Algal Blooms 26:26

4M ago26:26

26:26

Cyanobacteria, commonly called Blue Green Algae, can rapidly reproduce when conditions are right causing potentially hazardous Harmful Algal Blooms. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss why blooms occur, the risks of toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms on wildlife and livestock, and what you can do to reduce your likelihood of experiencing a cyanobacteri…

1
Wings of the West: Exploring Butterfly Life Histories 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

We often hear about monarch butterflies, but there are many other species of butterflies in North America. So we are kicking off a series of three podcasts to highlight butterflies in different regions of the US and today we are focusing on butterflies west of the Rockies! Joining us is butterfly expert and Xerces Society Endangered Species Conserv…

1
Off-Planet transmission 012: identity_unicorns_stingers 46:08

4M ago46:08

46:08

012: identity_unicorns_stingers Subject B skipped the pleasantries at the start of todays meeting, opting instead to interrogate his counterpart on their knowledge of antique-based reality television. His intention behind the line of questioning was not to explore the worth of humanitys lost or forgotten junk, rather to identify the masks they surr…

1
A Discussion about Manifest: Thirteen Colonies, and New Photo Exhibition at the Peabody Museum with Photographer Wendel White 41:38

4M ago41:38

41:38

Welcome to HMSC Connects! where we go behind the scenes of four Harvard museums to explore the connections between us, our big, beautiful world, and even what lies beyond. For this week's episode, host Jennifer Berglund is speaking with Wendel White, a photographer, educator, cultural worker, and the 2021 recipient of the Peabody Museum's Robert Ga…

1
Native Grass Plantings for Wildlife 30:14

4M ago30:14

30:14

Native warm season plant communities provide valuable food and cover for many wildlife species, and are often missing from properties that are managed for wildlife. Join us as we discuss the process of restoring native warm season grasses and forbs to your property. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members …

1
Mosquitoes Matter: Untangling Myths & Mastering Management 35:38

4M ago35:38

35:38

It was Jimmie Durante who first came up with the rhyme, “spring is sprung, the grass is riz; I wonder where them boidies is?” Of course, spring also means the return of insects — bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and yes, mosquitoes — and here at the Xerces Society we start getting questions about what to do about these pesky critters. Does spraying …

1
Big Bass: Pond Management for Bigger Fish 26:10

5M ago26:10

26:10

Getting big fish in your pond requires a strong pond management plan. Join us as we discuss steps to consider when managing the fish community in your pond including the importance of habitat diversity, fish genetics, and which fish you should consider harvesting from your pond if you want to catch some lunkers. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts…

1
Midnight Entomology: Unveiling the Secrets of Nocturnal Insects 36:50

5M ago36:50

36:50

As humans, we often think of the world through the lens of daylight - when we are most active. But at night, an entire world of insects comes to life and we are missing out! To help us explore these nocturnal creatures is Emily May, Pollinator Conservation Specialist on our Pesticide team at Xerces. You might recognize Emily from our last episode, …

1
50 Years at the Farlow: A Conversation with Don Pfister 35:54

5M ago35:54

35:54

Welcome to HMSC Connects! where we go behind the scenes of four Harvard museums to explore the connections between us, our big, beautiful world, and even what lies beyond. For this week's episode, host Jennifer Berglund is speaking with Don Pfister, a professor at Harvard and a curator of the Farlow Reference Library and Herbarium of Cryptogamic Bo…

1
Chronic Wasting Disease 36:41

5M ago36:41

36:41

A recently published note in the journal Neurobiology describing potential human transmission of chronic wasting disease is getting quite a bit of attention. Join us as we discuss the recent publication, chronic wasting disease, and steps you can take to try to limit the spread of this important disease within and among deer populations. Dr. Joe Ge…

1
No Mow May: A Starting Point, Not the Finish Line 28:43

5M ago28:43

28:43

Tired of mowing your law? We have good news - you don’t have to, and the bees (and fritillary butterflies) will thank you for it! Mowing your lawn less frequently can provide habitat for pollinators, especially in early spring. But, is that enough? What can we do to turn No Mow May into meaningful conservation of pollinators and other wildlife? Joi…

1
Ogallala Aquifer - Status, Concerns, and Implications for Wildlife 26:13

6M ago26:13

26:13

The Ogallala Aquifer is found underground in parts of 8 states. This vital resource provides groundwater for agricultural producers, wildlife, and citizens in these states. Water use practices have led to declines in the aquifer and recent trends in water use have led to depletion in water levels throughout this region. Join us as we discuss the cu…

1
Floater, Sheepnose, and Cat’s Paw: Exploring the Fascinating World of Freshwater Mussels 40:06

6M ago40:06

40:06

In this episode of Bug Banter, we are going underwater to highlight an invertebrate that isn’t an insect — the freshwater mussel. These animals may not be well-known but are powerhouses in our freshwater ecosystems, playing a critical role in our lakes and rivers. We’re joined today by not only one but two guests! — Emilie Blevins and Jack Fetters,…

1
A Conversation with Amphibian Biologist and Photographer, S.D. Biju 39:43

6M ago39:43

39:43

Welcome to HMSC Connects! where we go behind the scenes of four Harvard museums to explore the connections between us, our big, beautiful world, and even what lies beyond. For this week's episode, host Jennifer Berglund is speaking with S. D. Biju, a biologist and professor in the Environmental Studies Department at the University of Delhi, who is …

1
Off-Planet transmission 011: condiments_apidae_disasters 31:27

6M ago31:27

31:27

011: condiments_apidae_disasters Life in the pod appears to have become too bland for subject B: he bemoans the lack of flavour in their rations and so, in an effort to fool his tastebuds, sparks a conversation with his compatriot about condiments. In a further attempt to inject some spice into their existence, subject A suggests they seek stimulat…

1
Introduction to Wildlife Habitat Management in the Great Plains 32:00

6M ago32:00

32:00

In this episode, we discuss habitat management, and how common habitat management practices for a species in some regions may not be appropriate everywhere a species occurs. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State University. Find ou…

1
Buzzing Canopies: Forests' Vital Role in Supporting Pollinator Diversity 37:47

6M ago37:47

37:47

For many of us, if we were asked to describe a place that is good for bees, I suspect that we’d talk about somewhere that is open, sunny, and full of flowers — a garden, meadow, prairie, or hedgerow, maybe. The chances are that forests wouldn’t be high on that list. However, forests provide important resources for bees. In this episode, we are join…

1
Stocking Fish in Your Pond 24:41

6M ago24:41

24:41

In this episode, we discuss how to stock fish in your pond, what type of fish are usually recommended, and the best time to add fish to your pond. Discussion include how to know if you should stock your pond. Common issues with newly stocked fish. And some thoughts on adding minnows to your pond that may save you some money! Resources for this epis…

1
The Art of Intimidation: A Journey to Ancient Assyria with Adam Aja, Chief Curator at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East 35:15

7M ago35:15

35:15

Welcome to HMSC Connects! where we go behind the scenes of four Harvard museums to explore the connections between us, our big, beautiful world, and even what lies beyond. For this week's episode, host Jennifer Berglund is speaking with Adam Aja, the Chief Curator at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East or HMANE. On March 15, 2024, HMANE wil…

1
Bumbling Through Nature: Exploring the Fascinating Life History and Community Science of Bumble Bees 44:49

7M ago44:49

44:49

Spend time in a garden and you’ll probably hear the buzzing of a bumble bee. These charismatic bees pollinate many of the foods and flowers that we love and, similar to other bees, their populations are in decline. Fortunately, there is a community science program to help us better understand the abundance and distribution of bumble bees across the…

1
Vultures in the Great Plains 32:02

7M ago32:02

32:02

In this episode, we discuss how turkey vultures and black vultures provide both positive and negative values to residents of the Great Plains, and how to deal with problems associated with these 2 species. Resources for this episode: Black Vulture Damage Control University of Kentucky Extension: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/FOR/FOR129/FOR129.…

1
Life in the Dark: How Artificial Light is Impacting Insects 42:24

7M ago42:24

42:24

Light pollution. Go outside at night and you’ll notice them — lights on buildings, in gardens, along streets, glowing on the horizon. It might not seem like much, but this is changing the world for animals that rely on darkness. Imagine evolving for millions of years with only the stars and moon and now being faced with a landscape full of addition…

1
Winter Pond Management 30:15

7M ago30:15

30:15

In this episode we discuss what happens to ponds in the winter. Where do fish go? Do you need aeration? What pond management can you do in the winter to benefit your pond during the warmer months? Join us as we discuss these questions and more! Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Ou…

1
Insect Flight with Abbey Hayes 1:14:10

8M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

Today, its time for a lofty subject, as it were: Tom is joined by Abbey Hayes to discuss the original (and best?) form of flight: insect flight. We’ll be delving into millenia-long developments, and considering wild unknowns. We'll speculate, exploring genetics and molecular tools, as well as settling big questions like 'who's got the best wings?'.…

1
Introducing Caroline Fernald, HMSC’s New Executive Director 53:39

8M ago53:39

53:39

Welcome to HMSC Connects! where we go behind the scenes of four Harvard museums to explore the connections between us, our big, beautiful world, and even what lies beyond. For this week’s episode host Jennifer Berglund is speaking with Caroline Fernald, HMSC's new Executive Director.By Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

1
The Magic of Fireflies: Flashing Lights, Glowing Worms, and Chemical Reactions 40:41

8M ago40:41

40:41

Fireflies. Just the word evokes for many people memories of summer evenings filled with magic and awe. From their flashy mating displays to their glowing larvae, these iconic insects have captured our hearts. Unfortunately, fireflies have started to disappear from the landscape. What is causing this decline and what can we do to help? Joining us th…

1
Coyote Control and Deer Production 37:51

8M ago37:51

37:51

Episode 8 - Coyote Control and Deer Production In this episode, we discuss coyote biology and management related to deer production in the Great Plains, and whether or not it makes sense to control coyotes as a deer management practice in Kansas. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and …

1
Surviving Winter: What Heat-loving Butterflies do during the Cold Months 39:28

8M ago39:28

39:28

We’ve previously talked about overwintering monarchs seeking refuge in warmer climates, but what do other butterflies do during the winter? Do they also migrate? Do all butterflies overwinter as adults? If so, where do they hide — in leaves or rock piles or up in the trees? If not, how do they survive — what do these warm-loving butterflies do duri…

1
Eagles 21:23

8M ago21:23

21:23

In this episode, we discuss eagles, their natural history, decline, subsequent recovery, and important special protections that are afforded to eagles. Contact us: https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/contact.html

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