Insects & The Apocalypse Podcast with Bill McQuay cover art

Insects & The Apocalypse

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Insects & The Apocalypse

By: Ecolocation Sound
Narrated by: Bill McQuay
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$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

Insects are dying off at an apocalyptic rate, or are they? Now there's a way to find out. In this limited series, we go to a remote island rainforest to listen to sound-based research that could reveal the truth about global insect death. Even if we find them icky, insects are essential to human, animal, and plant existence. If they disappear, we're all in deep trouble. Bill McQuay is an award-winning science and audio producer. In collaboration with a research team, he uses his investigative and listening skills to search for an answer to whether insects are on the verge of extinction.©2023 Ecolocation Sound (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC Animals Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science
Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Aug 3 2023
    Insects are dying off at an apocalyptic rate, or are they? Now there's a way to find out. In this limited series, we go to a remote island rainforest to listen to sound-based research that could reveal the truth about global insect death. Even if we find them icky, insects are essential to human, animal, and plant existence. If they disappear, we're all in deep trouble. Bill McQuay is an award-winning science and audio producer. In collaboration with a research team, he uses his investigative and listening skills to search for an answer to whether insects are on the verge of extinction.
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    1 min
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  • Episode 1: Count Down to the Apocalypse?

    Episode 1: Count Down to the Apocalypse?
    Aug 3 2023

    Several recent news reports have pointed to something terrifying: insect numbers are in catastrophic decline, with some even calling it an “insectageddon.” And while some scientists question these claims, most agree that the demise of these tiny creatures would be the end of us. In the inaugural episode of Insects and the Apocalypse, we explore the fundamental question: how does one even count insects? We then meet a team of scientists working in a small island rainforest who may have stumbled upon the answer.
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    15 mins
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  • Episode 2: The Science and Fiction Behind the Insect Apocalypse Headlines

    Episode 2: The Science and Fiction Behind the Insect Apocalypse Headlines
    Aug 3 2023
    There’s no such thing as bad publicity, right? But what if it makes us question our trust in science and how it could help save the planet? In episode 2 of Insects and the Apocalypse, we dig into the controversial studies that inspired astonishing news stories about global insect declines and talk to scientists on both sides of the debate.
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    20 mins
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About the Host

Bill McQuay is an award-winning audio producer, National Geographic Explorer, and NPR contributor. His awards include the National Academy of Science Keck award for best science reporting. He is also a Grammy winner for the classical music recording of the Benjamin Britten War Requiem. He is a recipient of a New York State Arts Council Artist Fellowship.
For more information about Bill, Link to https://ecolocationsound.com/

All stars
Most relevant
Good sound, a good story, and smart scientists who are excellent communicators and committed conservationists.

Hoping for more.

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This is a wonderful new series - powerful storytelling with an incredible soundscape. Highly recommended listening!

Two thumbs up

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This short, casual podcast takes an important ecological topic and discusses it in a conversational manner. The delivery is great for explaining data, statistics, and scientific terms to listeners who want to learn more about insect population decline--or lack thereof?--but who wouldn't independently read scientific papers.

The soundscapes of different biomes aren't just pleasing to listen to, but help demonstrate how interesting yet challenging this field of acoustics is. I loved how the journalist related insect acoustic studies to those of more charismatic subjects like bats, coral reefs, whales, and elephants to show how connected these efforts are.

Informative Immersive Podcast

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Definitely an important one for public awareness. Hoping to listen to more work from Bill McQuay.

Amazing work!

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As an Elephant and Whale advocate, I'm thrilled at this podcase and tie in to all of conservation. Loved this podcast and highly recommend.

super interesting... and it's more than insects

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