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Artwork for Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

The Xerces Society
Invertebrate Conservation
Pollinator Conservation
Butterflies
Xerces Society
Pollination
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Monarch Butterflies
Pesticides
Conservation
Community Science
Habitat Loss
Pollinators
Invertebrates
Native Plants
Science Illustration
Bees
Native Bees
Pollinator Habitat
Community Engagement

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of invertebrates and discover how to help these extraordinary animals. The Xerces Society is a nationwide non-profit organization that works to conserve invertebrates and their habitats. For more information go to xerces.org.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes66Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNature

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Artwork for Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

Latest Episodes

The Xerces Society is named for a blue butterfly, the Xerces blue, which went extinct in the 1940s. Luckily, there are other blues, some of which are doing fine and we can see regularly in our parks and neighborhoods, little butterflies who flash bri... more

YouTube

Few beetles are revered as sacred, seen as a symbol of rebirth, represented in ancient art, and to this day are used commercially for waste disposal, but dung beetles are. And if that’s not impressive enough they use the Milky Way to navigate. Truly ... more

YouTube

Xeriscaping is an important tool to conserve water and creates resiliency in the face of climate change, among other benefits. In this episode, we are going to explore the benefits of xeriscaping, how to do it, and how it can impact the conservation ... more

YouTube

In this episode, we are going to explore the world of arachnids, but not the spiders you likely imagined after I said that. Nor ticks, nor mites, nor scorpions. No, today we are focusing on solifuges. “Soli-what?” you may be thinking.

Joining us to ... more

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Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Julie Michaelson
Pollinated conservation planner and NRCS partner biologist
Xerces Society
Episode: The Story of a Little Blue Butterfly: The Karner Blue
Katie Harris
Pollinator conservation specialist and NRCS partner biologist
Xerces Society
Episode: Poo Fighters and Nutrient Recyclers: the Incredible Dung Beetle
Kaitlin Haase
Xerces pollinator conservation specialist in the Southwest
Xerces Society
Episode: The Beauty of Less: Xeriscaping for Pollinators
Paula Cushing
Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Episode: Speedy, Hairy, and Harmless: Solifuges
Sharon Salvaggio
Pesticide program specialist for the Xerces Society
Xerces Society
Episode: Buying Bee Safe Plants: How to keep pesticides out of your garden
Kyle Nesson
Biology instructor at Cuesta College and researcher on monarch butterflies
Cuesta College
Episode: Where the Wind Blows: Does wind speed affect overwintering monarchs?
Maya Hutagalung
Illustrator and Science Illustration Intern at Xerces Society
Xerces Society
Episode: Making the Invisible Visible: Why Science Illustration Matters
Madison Sankovitz
Illustrator and Scientist specializing in Pollinator Conservation
Xerces Society
Episode: Making the Invisible Visible: Why Science Illustration Matters
Jane Kim
Visual artist and science illustrator, co-founder of Ink Dwell
Ink Dwell
Episode: Walls That Speak: Inspiring Conservation Through Art

Hosts

Rachel Dunham
Co-host and contributor with deep involvement in pollinator conservation and public outreach.
Matthew Shepherd
Co-host and long-time Xerces Society communications lead, with focus on outreach and education for pollinator conservation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 124 ratings
  • Engaging, educational, and hopeful!

    Bug banter hits a nice balance between educating about bugs and educating about conservation/conservation challenges. Each episode has actions individuals can take to help, which eases feelings of hopelessness in the face of invertebrate population declines.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JaspertheWasp
    United Statesa month ago
  • wonderful podcast

    This podcast has completely changed my reaction to seeing bugs from one of alarm to one of excitement -- instead of reaching for a tissue now, I reach for my phone to pull up iNaturalist. The format is accessible for laypeople, the bug facts are delightful, and the work Xerces does is incredibly valuable. Thanks for making it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    anacardia
    United States3 months ago
  • Inconsistent content and audio

    As a long term member of Xerces I really wanted to like this podcast but the audio can be terrible (sound levels, clarity) and sometimes they have great guests talking about interesting and relevant research and others it’s just a ‘banter’ about ‘wow aren’t bugs interesting there is a wasp that paralyzes cockroaches’ but so generalized that I want to ask ‘are you a entomologist?’ There are so many other ‘isn’t nature amazing’ podcasts with good sound quality. Make yourself stand out by doing mor... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    clareplantslots
    United States8 months ago
  • Bad audio

    They need to find someone who knows how to work with audio. There’s drastic differences in sound levels between one host and the their and the guest. Impossible to understand both without breaking your eardrums

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    I do mountains
    United Statesa year ago
  • Learning so much!

    I’ve been planting native flora for a few years to help out native pollinators and realized I didn’t know much about these animals! This podcast has helped me get a grasp on these magnificent creature - thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatFlyer
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality is inconsistent but content is informative and scientifically solid.
Great for beginners and conservation-minded audiences wanting practical tips.
Accessible and engaging for lay listeners, with strong guest quality.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#75
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#137
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#81
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#47
Spain/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#100
Ireland/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Story of a Little Blue Butterfly: The Karner Blue
Q: What inspired you to work with insects?
I grew up with a sense that all organisms have intrinsic value, which led me to care deeply and pursue ecology, mentors helped me see insects as a foundational piece of that perspective, and I wandered through various taxa before finding a path in conservation biology.
Buying Bee Safe Plants: How to keep pesticides out of your garden
Q: What makes a plant toxic to pollinators and how long can those effects last?
Systemic insecticides can be absorbed and move within the plant, potentially lasting six months to several years, depending on the chemical, with longer persistence especially concerning for honeybees.
Buying Bee Safe Plants: How to keep pesticides out of your garden
Q: Can you tell us a little about the risk to pollinators from pesticides?
Pesticides are a major threat extending beyond immediate kill; they affect development, learning, and survival, with systemic products posing long-term exposure risks through pollen and nectar.
Where the Wind Blows: Does wind speed affect overwintering monarchs?
Q: How did wind become a focus of your study?
Wind became a focus due to early hypotheses suggesting it was a critical abiotic factor affecting monarchs' overwintering survival, leading to research on their response to wind conditions.
Where the Wind Blows: Does wind speed affect overwintering monarchs?
Q: Can you give us the basics of overwintering habitat for Western monarchs?
Monarchs overwinter in groves where they seek shelter from freezing temperatures and a lack of milkweed, their essential food source, during the winter months.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bug Banter with the Xerces Society

What is Bug Banter with the Xerces Society about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-forward show focused on invertebrates, pollinators, and conservation. Episodes frequently feature Xerces Society researchers, conservationists, and artists who intersect science with public engagement, discussing topics from pesticide risk and habitat restoration to bee and butterfly conservation and science illustration. The tone blends accessible, actionable guidance for gardeners and communities with deep dives into current research and conservation campaigns. Unique through-line includes collaborative projects with artists and community science, and a consistent emphasis on practical steps listeners can take to support pollinators in urban and rural settings.

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Which podcasts are similar to Bug Banter with the Xerces Society?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bug Banter with the Xerces Society:

1. Native Plants, Healthy Planet
2. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN
3. In Defense of Plants Podcast
4. Cultivating Place
5. Plant People

How many episodes of Bug Banter with the Xerces Society are there?

Bug Banter with the Xerces Society launched 3 years ago and published 66 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Bug Banter with the Xerces Society?

Recent guests on Bug Banter with the Xerces Society include:

1. Julie Michaelson
2. Katie Harris
3. Kaitlin Haase
4. Paula Cushing
5. Sharon Salvaggio
6. Kyle Nesson
7. Maya Hutagalung
8. Madison Sankovitz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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