Archive for the ‘Insects’ Category

Episode #79: The Black Soldier Fly (Part II)

Monday, February 15th, 2010

In the second part of my interview with Jerry from blacksoldierflyblog.com, we discuss use of BSF for decomposing manures, including human manure, the quality and volume of compost produced, fly larva as the primary product of BSF composting, biological racism against the Black Soldier Fly, and BSF with California Red Worms.

I also read some listener email and comments.  Useful links below:

Black Soldier Fly Blog

BioPod and Black Soldier Fly Community Forum

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Podcast: Download (31.0MB)

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Posted in English, Insects, Soil | 5 Comments »

Episode #78: The Black Soldier Fly (Part I)

Monday, February 8th, 2010

The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia ilucens) has many remarkable characteristics that make it useful to human beings.  In this episode, I am joined by Jerry of blacksoldierflyblog.com.  Jerry and I discuss the lifecycle, morphological characteristics, and population dynamics of the Black Soldier Fly.  We also discuss strategies for attracting and managing a healthy colony.  This is Part I in a two part series.

Useful links below:

Blacksoldierfly Blog

Phoenix Worms (via Google)

Wikipedia article

Purchase a Biopod

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Podcast: Download (33.1MB)

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Posted in English, Insects | 4 Comments »

Colony Collapse Disorder in 2008

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

In this episode of the Agroinnovations Podcast I speak with Maryann Frazier, Senior Extension Associate at Pennsylvania State University and an expert on colony collapse disorder (CCD) in bees. This alarming phenomenon has captured the attention of media throughout the country.

In this interview, Maryann takes us through the brief but intense history of CCD, and gives us a concise interpretation of where the scientific evidence to date is leading us. Her conclusions show us that bees themselves are forcing us to reexamine our relationships with agriculture, nature, and land.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:40 — 14.5MB)

Posted in Beekeeping, English, Insects | 5 Comments »

Rex Dufour: Agrobiodiversity and Entomology

Tuesday, November 14th, 2006

As we continue this month’s theme of agricultural biodiversity, I interview Rex Dufour, entomologist and organic pest control expert with ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

Rex describes the role of insects in the agroecosystem, and emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity to control insect pests. As he explains it, beneficial insects can act as “little hammers”, keeping harmful insect populations under control through predation and parasitizing. The key question is how we design our managed ecosystems to maximize these interactions and reduce our reliance on costly agrochemicals.

Please have a listen, and thanks for stopping by.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:00 — 28.4MB)

Posted in Biodiversity, English, Insects | No Comments »

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