Arthro-Pod

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 within ESA and the significance of community building

The evolving landscape of industry and the skills needed for success

Insights into ESA's organizational structure and upcoming initiatives

The importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and society members

Links:

Melissa Siebert

Corteva

Entomological Society of America

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Intro and Outro song: "There it is" by Kevin McLeod, Incomptech Music

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 why the cicada sings or the why the firefly glows, this isthe episode for you!

If you want to read some of the poems discussed: 

https://www.literarymatters.org/18-1-meleager-of-gadara-to-the-cicada/ 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/58430/firefly-56d23ccbb5f21 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53210/on-the-grasshopper-and-cricket

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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!

Intro and Outro song: "There it is" by Kevin McLeod, Incomptech Music

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.

 

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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!

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 efforts help ensure that monarchs and countless other pollinators thrive for generations to come.

Resources and Links:

Milkweed Matters Website: https://milkweedmatters.org/

Monarch Watch: https://monarchwatch.org/blog/

Radio tracking Monarchs: https://monarchjointventure.org/blog/revolutionary-tracking-study-follows-monarchs

Motus: https://motus.org/

Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

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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!

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 the tiny ecosystems that exist all around us, even in urban spaces.

She walks us through the entire process, from sourcing local wood to milling and kiln drying using advanced vacuum technology. Along the way, she explains the critical steps needed to eliminate pests like powderpost beetles and wood boring beetles, offering practical insight into how entomology intersects with craftsmanship.

Visit Omaha Wood Company in person or connect with them on social media to learn more.

Website: https://omahawood.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omahawoodco/ 

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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!

Thank you so much for listening!