The Science Bug

Mar 17 2024 1

The Science Bug Podcast artwork

We’re shining the spotlight on the little critters that make the world go around. Bugs! Every episode, Simon Connolly and Morgane Merien will be interviewing a rising star of New Zealand science and seeing what they can tell us about the world around us. This season, we’ll be looking at: dorky-looking fighting weevils, the secret relationship of butterflies and nettles, and how bees breathe! Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

The Science Bug – 18-03-2024

Mar 17 2024 28 mins

Aotearoa: Wasp Capital of the World. In the final episode of the season, Morgane continues her intervie with Dr Jenny Jandt.

The Science Bug – 11-03-2024

Mar 10 2024 28 mins

(Not so) ferocious bees and wasps?! Morgane sits down with Dr JennyJandt to discuss aggression in social insects.

The Science Bug Ep 8 – 04-03-2024

Mar 03 2024 26 mins

Bees in submarines! Simon concludes his interview with Rene Devenish, and yes, bees were placed in submarines. For science!

The Science Bug Ep 7 – 26-02-2024

Feb 25 2024 27 mins

Pollinators in a Warming World. Simon interviews Rene Devenish about cute little bees and the pernicious effects of climate change.

The Science Bug Ep 6 – 19-02-2024

Feb 18 2024 27 mins

More Butterflies. More Nettles! Morgane continues her interview with Greer Sanger about the Bug of the Year winner, Kahukura!

The Science Bug Ep 5 – 12-02-2024

Feb 11 2024 28 mins

The Secrets of the Kahukura Butterfly. Butterflies and Nettles?! This week, Morgane is interviewing Greer Sanger about the native Red Admiral Butterfly, or Kahukura, and its relationship with stinging nettles, including the infamous Ongaonga.

The Science Bug Ep 4 – 05-02-2024

Feb 04 2024 28 mins

The bugs are back! It's time to round out the list of Bug of the Year contenders, and hear Morgane and Simon's top picks. You can vote for your favourite on line — bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz Thanks to the Entomological Society of NZ.

The Science Bug Ep 3 – 25-01-2024

Jan 24 2024 28 mins

Bug. Of. The. Year. Morgane and Simon are talking all the hot gossip for this year's candidates! You can vote for your favourite at bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz – thanks to the Entomological Society of NZ.

The Science Bug Ep 2 – 22-01-2024

Jan 21 2024 26 mins

This week, Simon is continuing his interview with Dr Ummat Somjee. They'll be talking about how the Giraffe Weevils can actually grow and maintain their crazy weapons.

The Science Bug Ep 1 – 15-01-2024

Jan 14 2024 27 mins

On the very first episode of The Science Bug, Simon is interviewing Dr Ummat Somjee of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. They'll be talking about Giraffe Weevils, a fascinating native NZ beetle, whose males have massive, elongated heads.