The Queer Life of a Cockchafer

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast · 2025-06-18

How did two beetles cause a gay panic? There's much more to a cockchafer or ‘maybug’ than meets the eye. Join ecologist, Connor Butler, to find out more about what these charismatic creatures can teach us about science, humanity and the fluidity of the natural world.
Discover more:

You can find out more about Connor’s work and the queer ecology walks here: https://www.connorbutler.co.uk/

To visit Osterley Park and House and gardens, or to find out more about its spectacular grounds, find out more here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/osterley-park-and-house
Further reading:
This is a HUGE topic of which we’ve only scratched the surface. As part of our research and if you wanted to dig a little deeper, we read:
Of Maybugs and Men: A History and Philosophy of the Sciences of Homosexuality by Pieter R. Adriaens and Andreas De Block
and
Biological Exuberance by Bruce Baghemil
Special thanks to Laine Kaplan-Levenson from A Field Guide to Gay Animals for taking the time to speak with us while we developed the episode.
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Production:
Host: Rosie Holdsworth
Producer: Marnie Woodmeade
Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez

Follow Wild Tales on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected to our wild world, you can contact us at [email protected]

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Delve into intriguing stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world.

You'll experience nature in a whole new way, from untangling the strange world of spider sex and digging up the greatest fossil finds, to meeting mysterious ocean giants and finding out why there’s no such thing as a seagull.

Join experts Rosie Holdsworth, Ajay Tegala and Heather Birkett on adventures in the UK’s diverse habitats and uncover fascinating tales that connect us with wildlife.

New Wild Tales are released twice a month.

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Discover more from National Trust podcasts

This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy.

Listen to Back When history podcast, taking you inside stories of our past: podfollow.com/back-when

Discover Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, perfect for kids aged 5-8:
podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast

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