Susie of Stoned Affection is a practicing entomologist who has been raising moths and butterflies—and raising awareness of them—since 2014. She also creates beautiful art from lepidoptera taxidermy. This week Susie joins Sean to talk about what it’s like to work with moths and butterflies, especially the ethical considerations that go into sourcing and raising both native and tropical species. If you’ve ever wondered about butterfly farming, butterfly houses, and sending live specimens through the mail, this is the episode to satisfy your curiosity. You’ll also find out what Susie thinks of lepidoptera in media, whether butterflies make good pollinators, and what the differences are between butterflies and moths. To learn more about Susie, her art, and her outreach, visit her website at www.stonedaffection.com, or catch a Twitch live stream at https://www.twitch.tv/stonedaffection.You can also find Susie on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stonedaffection Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonedaffection/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonedaffection Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment? Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon. Bluesky: @plantsalwayswin.com TikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcast YouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcastWebsite: www.plantsalwayswin.com CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia AlladinIntro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-playsLicense code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PHTimestamps00:46 Introducing Susie of Stoned Affection|03:21 Name Origins: Plants Always Win05:00 Ordering Insects by Post07:45 The Difference Between Moths and Butterflies11:40 The Family Lepidoptera 12:50 Butterflies are Surprisingly Nasty, Little Creatures14:23 Moths That Can't Eat16:12 Are Butterflies Good Pollinators?17:35 Making Silk from Silk Moths19:25 What do Moths Get Up to at Night?22:30 Ethically Sourcing Tropical and Local Insects27:00 Farmed Tropical Insects28:00 Butterfly Houses: Good or Bad?30:50 Susie's Favourite Squeaking Moth Species33:10 Susie's Favourite Butterfly35:19 What Happens when a Butterfly Pupates?40:28 Lepidoptera in Movies and TV Shows43:20 Susie's Public Outreach Work47:14 Sean's Relationship with Insects50:40 Jumping Spiders as Pets54:52 Earthworms in North America58:45 Susie's Plugs1:04:15 Susie's Word of Wisdom1:04:30 Conclusion and Contact Us
