Frass Happens

Halloween may be over, but we’re still feeling spooky over here at Frass Happens! Join us for a creepy crawly episode celebrating our favorite predatory insects. Katie and Casey each picked a parasite, a hunter, and an ambush predator to compete in our very first BATTLE OF THE BUGS! Which predator will win this fracas of frass? Listen to the episode to find out! ---- Comment below to tell us who YOU think should have won this creepy crawly competition!  ---- Instagram: @FrassHappensPodcast Website: https://frasshappenspodcast.com/ ---- Logo artwork by Alyssa Carvara Music by Maxwell Burns

Arachnophobia is a common human fear, but where does it come from? Are we born with it? And if so, why? In this episode, Katie not only untangles a web of myths about spiders, but she also spins a tale about the nature of fear itself! Whether you are on Team Spider or Team Scream, we hope that you’ll join us for Episode 9 as we delve into the intriguing (and controversial!) world of spiders, confronting our own feelings about our eight-legged neighbors along the way. ---- **EDIT** In the episode we referenced Rudy Francisco's poem, "Mercy," but misspoke and accidentally attributed the poem to Nikki Giovanni. While "Mercy" was inspired by Giovanni's poem, "Allowables," the poem was written by Francisco. Apologies! ---- Science Vs (Dr. Jessica Ware clip): https://youtu.be/SrL5FQ-0s3w?si=pbwYnZAqtT_FthTz  Green Street Photo Collective (Arachnophilia Exhibit): https://www.greenstreetphoto.com/events ---- Citations Referenced: Cardoso, P., Pekár, S., Birkhofer, K., et. al. (2025), Ecosystem services provided by spiders. Biol Rev, 100: 2217-2236. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.70044 Michael C. Beuhler, Ryan Feldman, David D. Gummin, et. al. (2025) 2024 Annual Report of the National Poison Data System® (NPDS) from America’s Poison Centers®: 42nd Annual Report, Clinical Toxicology, 63:12, 1029-1280. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2025.2571299  Garcia R. (2017) Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. Learn Mem. 24(9):462-471. https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.044115.116  Grogans S.E., Bliss-Moreau E., Buss K.A., et. al. (2023) The nature and neurobiology of fear and anxiety: State of the science and opportunities for accelerating discovery. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 151:105237.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105237  Frynta, D., Janovcová, M., Štolhoferová, I. et al. (2021) Emotions triggered by live arthropods shed light on spider phobia. Sci Rep. 11, 22268. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01325-z  Grill M. and Haberkamp A. (2023) Out of control: The role of spider movement and intolerance of uncertainty in spider fear. J Exp Psychopathol. 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/20438087231151502  ---- Instagram: @FrassHappensPodcast Website: https://frasshappenspodcast.com/ ---- Logo artwork by Alyssa Carvara Music by Maxwell Burns

Insects and other invertebrates have stoked our curiosity since we were children. For many of us, these creepy crawlies were beloved childhood pets who taught us how to become responsible caretakers and opened up our realm to the wonders and joys associated with the miniature worlds around us. In today’s episode, Casey explains the natural history of two favorite invertebrates that many of us kept as kids in the 90’s and early 2000’s: Mexican jumping beans and sea monkeys! So put down the Tomagotchi, hop on your Razor scooter, and let’s explore the secret lives of these nostalgic creatures.   ---- Instagram: @FrassHappensPodcast Website: https://frasshappenspodcast.com/ ---- Logo artwork by Alyssa Carvara Music by Maxwell Burns

Grab your bucket hats, you beautiful creatures! We're going to Florida. In this episode, Katie introduces us to a highly specialized insect with a fascinating life history. Along the way, we zigzag our way through a variety of related topics, from the ingredients in your shampoo to island biogeography! Join us for Episode 7 as we learn all about a hungry, hungry caterpillar with a craving for carapace.  ---- Citations Referenced: Zeveloff, S. and Mull, J., 2024. Keratinophagy and the horn moth's curious protuberances. Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment, 22(1), p.1. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2709  Deyrup, M., N. D. Deyrup, M. Eisner, & T. Eisner. 2005. A Caterpillar that Eats Tortoise Shells. American Entomologist, 51(4): 245–248. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/51.4.245  ---- Instagram: @FrassHappensPodcast Website: https://frasshappenspodcast.com/ ---- Logo artwork by Alyssa Carvara Music by Maxwell Burns

We just can’t get enough of the ocean! In today’s episode, Casey brings us back in time to 1999 to discuss the Long Island Sound lobster die-off. This event just so happened to follow heavy, recurrent pesticide use in New York City in response to the first US-based West Nile Virus outbreak. So, were pesticides to blame for this massive die-off in our beloved crustaceans?! To find out, join us for Episode 6 as we delve into this buttery tale!  ---- Citations Referenced: Pearce, J. and Balcom, N. The 1999 Long Island Sound lobster mortality event: Findings of the comprehensive research initiative. Journal of Shellfish Research 24 (3), 691-697 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2005)24[691:TLISLM]2.0.CO;2 Seara, T. et al. Lessons learned from a natural resource disaster: The long-term impacts of the Long Island Sound lobster die-off on individuals and communities. Marine policy 136, 104943 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104943  ---- Instagram: @FrassHappensPodcast Website: https://frasshappenspodcast.com/ ---- Logo artwork by Alyssa Carvara Music by Maxwell Burns