Bugs/Insects | Forestry and Natural Resources

Bugs/Insects Episodes

From the Woods Today - Creepy Things From the Forest: Nocturnal Insects

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Halloween spectacular filled with creepy crawlers and spine-chilling tales! Join entomologist, Dr. Larson, as we explore the mysterious world of nocturnal insects and their fascination with light. We’ll also dive into the ecological importance of bats and uncover why they’ve become Halloween’s favorite icon. Plus, Dr. Steve Price shares a spooky forest ghost story!

From The Woods Today - Keeping Your Forest in the Family

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we delve into the importance of preserving your land for future generations and how to effectively share your vision and values with your family. We also have a segment about mushrooms and our monthly What's Bugging My Tree.

From The Woods Today - Tick and Mosquito Control

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn how to reduce tick and mosquito habitat around the home and wooded properties. We also have a segment about small game hunting.

From The Woods Today - Thermal Tolerance of Insects

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we find out how insects navigate temperature extremes and why we rarely get free pest control from either end of the thermometer. We also discuss some of the dangers of bites from ticks and mosquitoes in Kentucky and how to reduce or prevent exposure to bites while outdoors.

From the Woods Today - Cicadas: Rare Dual

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson joins us to discuss what periodical cicadas are, why they are such an amazing part of nature, and where you can find them in Kentucky in 2024 and 2025. We also have our monthly What's Bugging My Tree segment.

From the Woods Today - Gardening for Bats

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn how to spice up your garden and give back to bats for helping control mosquitoes. We also have our monthly Wings of Kentucky segment on early spring migratory birds.

From the Woods Today - How Plants Survive Winter

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss the many different ways that plants have evolved traits or processes to withstand freezing conditions and freeze/thaw cycles. We also have a segment about the invasive pest, the spotted lanternfly.

From The Woods Today - Emerging Spring Bugs

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we have Dr. Larson on to discuss the biology of what happens to insects when they emerge in the springtime due to the warming weather.

From The Woods Today - Winter Insect Survival

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explain how insects avoid cold temperatures and return the next year to start their life cycles over again. Dr. Matt Springer also joins us to discuss wildlife and their adaptations and other neat tricks that allow them to survive the winter.

From The Woods Today - Invasive Species Given to Others

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explore that while we seem to encounter a new invasive species every week, the US has also donated many species to other nations. Join us to learn which of our native species are causing headaches elsewhere.

From the Woods Today - Spooky Forestry Folklore

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Halloween Special! Join us as Drs. Luke Dodd and Jonathan Larson share the history behind some of the popular creepy forestry tales and mysteries.

From the Woods Today - Under Attack: Laurel Wilt Disease

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss laurel wilt disease, a new invasive epidemic that is killing sassafras and spicebush across Kentucky. We also have a segment on herbicides use for selective management of plants in our woodlands.

From the Woods Today - Big Beetles of Kentucky

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson gives an overview of different types of beetles found in Kentucky. We also have our tree of the week segment, as well as a celebration for National Honey Bee Day.

From the Woods Today - Timber Theft and Trespass

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jeff Stringer talks about Kentucky timber theft laws and what landowners can do to protect their property. We also have a segment on how to collect soil samples as well as talk about the pesky locust leafminer.

From the Woods Today - Spotted Lanternfly

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss an invasive pest, spotted lanternfly, and how their potential arrival poses a threat to various industries of Kentucky. We also have a segment on tree of heaven, an invasive plant that is the preferred host of the spotted lanternfly.

From the Woods Today - Types of Pollinators

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate pollinator week by discussing the various types of pollinators and how they benefit our world. We also have our Tree of the Week, as well as a segment about ticks and how to prevent them.

From the Woods Today - Giant Silk Moths

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson joins us to talk about some of the largest insect species in North America, giant silk moths, and highlights the life cycles and biology of these jewels of the night. We also have a video on tree treatments, as well as our monthly What's That Fungus? segment.

From the Woods Today - Reforestation in Urban Areas

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn about the benefits of urban reforestation that we're seeing in Reforest the Bluegrass sites around Lexington including benefits to wildlife, plant diversity, recreation and aesthetics, and carbon storage. We also have our monthly What's Bugging My Tree? segment.

From the Woods Today - Leeches and Other Lore

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Halloween Special. Join us as we tell the tales about creepy things in the forest including leeches, burying beetles, vampire bats, zombie fungus, and more!

From the Woods Today - How Insects Find Food

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Jonathan Larson joins us to talk about what insects can smell with their antennae and how they use that to find the things they want to eat. We also have a discussion about what Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is, how it spreads, and where it's found, as well as our Tree of the Week segment.

From the Woods Today - Plant Selection for the Host

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we talk about how insects and amphibians rely on native plants and learn some tips to gear landscape design mindsets toward the host first and plant second. We also have a segment on prepping your yard for fall pollinators, as well as discuss how to implement fire on landscapes to improve the health of our forested systems.

From the Woods Today - Fireflies

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson returns to discuss the magic of fireflies. We also have a guest from the Kentucky Division of Forestry share what a service forester does. Our last segment of the show is about steam weeders and how to use one.

From the Woods Today - Pollinator Week

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we are celebrating pollinator week! Learn how pollinators are vital to a healthy ecosystem and how to protect and create these habitats. We also discuss how native plants help preserve our natural biodiversity. Kai Davis also joins us once again for a birds edition of our Wildlife Sounds segment.

From the Woods Today - Spotted Lanternfly and Spongy Moths

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson discusses two invasive species that pose distinct hazards to Kentucky woodlands and shares information about a citizen science effort to report sightings of them or their hosts to help monitor for these hungry critters. We also have our monthly Pesky Plant segment, as well as our Tree of the Week.

From The Woods Today - Mussels

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we are joined by Dr. Wendell Haag to talk about mussels. We also have a popular returning guest, Dr. Jonathan Larson, with us to talk about tick prevention and safe removal.

From The Woods Today - Spring Bug Emergence

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Larson is back to talk about how different beneficial and pest insects are able to overwinter and survive the cold temperatures and snow that gets thrown at them. We also have our Tree of the Week Segment, as well as another edition of What's That Fungus? We also discuss the new White Oak Conservation Plan.

From The Woods Today - Kentucky Maple Day

This episode of From the Woods Today features news about an upcoming annual event, Kentucky Maple Day, and how you can participate. We also share some resources to prepare for spring forest fire season, as well as our reoccurring tree health segment - What's Bugging My Tree?.

From The Woods Today - Creepy Things In The Forest

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Halloween special. This show features some things from the forest that we commonly view as spooky, such as bats, spiders, and other creepy crawlers. We also have our tree of the week segment as well as an update on our upcoming programs.

From The Woods Today - Monarch Tagging

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn about the monarch’s life history, how we study its migratory journey, and how you can get involved with protecting this amazing butterfly. We also have our reoccurring tree of the week segment as well as our monthly mushroom highlight.

From The Woods Today - Woodland Bug Friends

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Larson, UK Entomology, shares some friendly bugs you might want to keep around your woodlands as they provide many benefits. We have our tree of the week segment, as well as our Pesky Plant of the month - which is the host for a new invasive bug that has just been found in Kentucky.

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