# Bug Bytes As described by Edward O. Wilson — perhaps the best known American biologist, researcher, naturalist and author — invertebrates are "The Little Things That Run the World." And indeed they do, in so many ways. In terms of numbers — while most invertebrates are pretty small, the sheer number of them is astounding. Together, they have more biomass than any other animal on earth.Learn more about the fascinating creatures that run the world, with Bug Bytes from the Missoula Butterfly House and… Page: Feed: --- ## [Dragonfly Obelisking](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2026-03-02/dragonfly-obelisking) _2026-03-02_ Many insects employ strategies to try and beat the heat. The most obvious is to simply seek shade. However, for some species of dragonflies, they try something a bit more interesting. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2026/03/bugbytes-022826-oblisk.mp3) ## [Northern Scorpion](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-10-15/northern-scorpion) _2025-10-15_ But be honest …how many of you thought of North Dakota, Montana, or southern Canada? Then you’ve probably never heard of the Northern Scorpion. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/10/bugbytes-northscorp-113-1.wav) ## [Bombardier Beetles](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-10-06/bombardier-beetles) _2025-10-06_ If any beetle was said to have an “explosive personality”, it would have to be the bombardier beetle. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/10/bugbytes-bombardierbeetles.mp3) ## [The Spotted Lantern Fly](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-09-22/the-spotted-latern-fly) _2025-09-22_ As long as the weather is favorable, you can walk out your door and find some amazing insects to observe almost anytime. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/09/bugbytes-laternfly-114-1.mp3) ## [Titan Beetles](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-09-15/titan-beetles) _2025-09-15_ There are over 400,000 known species of beetles in the world. So when you’re considered one of the largest, that’s really saying something. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/09/bugbytes-titanbeetles-111-1.mp3) ## [At 3 inches in length, Giant Salmonflies are hard to miss](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-08-04/at-3-inches-in-length-giant-salmonflies-are-hard-to-miss) _2025-08-04_ If you’ve ever been along a river, and fortunate to catch the peak of the Giant Salmonfly hatch, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/08/bug-bytes-0809-salmonfly.wav) ## [A dragonfly can experience gravitational forces of up to 9-Gs!](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-07-28/dragonfly-can-experience-gravitational-forces-of-up-to-9-gs) _2025-07-28_ But their speed, agility, and tendency for in-flight dining come with some worrisome risks. But it’s nothing to lose their heads over …or is it? [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/07/bugbytes-drygonflyhead-112-1.mp3) ## [Orchid Bees](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-07-21/orchid-bees) _2025-07-21_ A male Orchid Bee can’t rely on his good looks when looking for a mate. For success, he depends on his own brand of home-made perfume. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/07/orchardbee-107-1.mp3) ## [Bullet Ants](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-06-13/bullet-ants) _2025-06-13_ Introducing, the Bullet Ant, so named because its sting is supposedly as painful as being shot. It’s considered to have the most painful of all insect stings. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/05/bugbytes-bulletants.wav) ## [Find the fault before the call does (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/UxjKXi6DBuTC) _2025-06-13 · **Sponsored**_ Run 24 local hardware tests in your browser or app; nothing is uploaded. ## [Atlas Moth](https://www.mtpr.org/podcast/bug-bytes/2025-06-06/atlas-moth) _2025-06-06_ In addition to their impressive size, Atlas Moths are known for their extraordinary wing markings, especially at their wingtips. Incredibly, the patterns mimic the profile of a cobra’s head, a way to fool predators into thinking they are anything but an easy meal. [Listen](https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s214/audio/2025/07/bugbytes-atlasmoth-edit.mp3)