Dr. Jonathan Larson | Forestry and Natural Resources

Dr. Jonathan Larson 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 - 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 - 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 - Tree Week 2023

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Tree Week Special! Join us as we discuss checking your trees for insects, fall leaf color, and the Reforest the Bluegrass program.

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

From The Woods Today - White Oak Genetics Program

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we talk about the White Oak Genetics and Tree Improvement program and the tremendous progress made so far, as well as how viewers can be involved. We also have a segment on bugs that suck and our beloved tree of the week.

From The Woods Today - Economic Contribution of Forests

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss the economic contribution of Kentucky's forests. We have segments on tent caterpillars, how to coexist with bears, and our tree of the week.

From The Woods Today - UK Wood Utilization Center

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we spotlight UK's Wood Utilization Center in Jackson, KY and the programs they offer. We have a segment on the upcoming periodical cicadas that will be emerging this summer and of course, our tree of the week.

From The Woods Today - Forestry 101 Part 5

This week's From the Woods Today episode is a Halloween special. We have part 5 of Dr. Muller's Forestry 101 series, a creepy things from the forest segment, and a spooky themed wildlife sounds game. We also have our tree of the week segment.

From The Woods Today - Ticks

In this episode of From the Woods Today, co-hosts Billy Thomas and Renee' Williams, UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension speak with special guest Jonathan Larson about ticks. We also have our beloved Tree of the Week segment.

Creepy Things from the Forest

In this 48th episode of From the Woods Kentucky, co-hosts Renee Williams and Laura Lhotka interview Dr. Jonathan Larson, Dr. Ellen Crocker, and Megan Buland for an overview of creepy things from the forest.

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