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Insects both welcomed and shunned; then, large study of bird songs reveals complexity

Air Date:
Heard On The Larry Meiller Show
A forest path at night with a glowing green streak, likely from a fireflys light trail, winding through the trees and foliage.
A long, slow-moving trail of light created by a Blue Ghost firefly is visible late Saturday, June 22, 2024, near Cincinnati. Fireflies produce a chemical reaction inside their bodies, allowing them to light up. This type of light production is called bioluminescence. Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

UW-Madison entomologist PJ Liesch returns to talk about the bugs we love and hate. Then we talk to another researcher on campus, Sathya Chandra Sagar, about his work on a global study of bird calls.

Featured in this Episode

  • Are monarch butterflies and fireflies making comebacks?

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    Monarch butterflies and fireflies may be rebounding, judging by more frequent sightings in Wisconsin. UW-Madison entomologist PJ Liesch talks about these iconic bugs and the upcoming Wisconsin Insect Fest on Aug. 1.

  • Global study of bird songs helps explain factors behind diverse sounds   

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    After studying more than 100,000 recordings of birds singing, UW-Madison researchers believe habitat, body size and beak shape influence their calls. Sathya Chandra Sagar joins us to talk about the study he co-authored.

Episode Credits

  • Larry Meiller Host
  • PJ Liesch Guest
  • Sathya Chandra Sagar Guest
  • Jill Nadeau Executive Producer
  • Joel Patenaude Producer
  • Lee Rayburn Technical Director

Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

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