The State of Nature Update #26 Podcast

This episode explores six biodiversity stories from around the world: how elephant dung supports diverse dung beetle communities that drive nutrient cycling and seed dispersal in African ecosystems; the death of the last known Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar, which could mean that the rare butterfly is now extinct; surprising new evidence that daddy longlegs in South America can hunt and kill frogs despite their seemingly harmless appearance;  the tagging of a nesting female sea turtle in Ecuador to better understand migration routes and reduce deadly fishing-net entanglements of eastern Pacific leatherback turtles; how an Italian farm is using forest-inspired, biodiversity-rich practices to build resilience against climate change while improving soil health; and it considers the argument that restoring and protecting nature may be one of the most effective climate solutions, simultaneously storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and benefiting local communities.

Key points:

1:01 – Elephant poop’s essential role in African ecosystems, thanks to dunk beetles.

4:04 - The last known caterpillar of a rare butterfly has died, all but eliminating all hope of reviving the species.

5:43 - Daddy longlegs don’t just eat insects - they also hunt down frogs.

7:15 - Scientists tagged a rare sea turtle while she was laying eggs, hoping to discover her migration and feeding patterns to help with conservation decisions.

8:18 - Incorporating nature into farming practices to make crops resilient to climate change.

10:47 - Biodiversity conservation as a solution for climate change.

Articles & Resources:

Anthropocene Magazine, 5/28/2026, by Warren Cornwall: What happens to the small things when the big things disappear?

Gijsman, Nutter, and Pringle, 2026: Importance of elephants for dung beetle diversity and ecosystem functions. Science: 392(6801).

The New York Times, 5/21/2026, by Catrin Einhorn: A very lonely caterpillar, possibly the last of its kind, has died

The New York Times, 3/6/2025, by Catrin Einhorn and Harry Stevens: See how butterflies are surviving, or not, near you.

Scientific American, 5/21/2026, by Jake Buehler: Daddy longlegs are actually bloodthirsty killers - of frogs.

Calvache et al., 2026: Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as overlooked predators of anurans in the neotropics. Ecology and Evolution: 16 (4).

Mongabay, 5/26/2026, by Bobby Bascomb: Tracking Lucero: Scientists follow a rare Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle.

IUCN: Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

Atmos, 5/25/2026, by Becca Warner: For more successful farming, follow the forest.

Biomimicry Center, Arizona State University.

The Guardian, 5/24/2026, editorial: Could nature itself hold the solution to climate change?