Hello, my friends, and welcome to episode 147 of Just the Zoo of Us. Before we dive right in,

I just have a super quick but very exciting update to announce, and that is that episode

transcripts are back. Our friend Liv Schaup has joined us as our transcriber, so his transcripts

are done. They will be posted on our website at just the zoo of us.com slash transcripts.

And they'll also be linked in episode descriptions as soon as they're available.

This is a major accessibility improvement that has long been at the top of our goal list,

and we're finally able to afford making it happen thanks to the support of Max Fund members.

So thank you all for that. Now on to our episode. This week we have an entomologist here to talk about

a family of fascinating bugs that are always one slow, methodical step ahead of the competition

assassin bugs. We discuss why their bite packs

such a powerful punch, how they're able to outsmart both predators and prey with downright

machiavellian tactics like corpse armor and spawn camping and trap setting, and what wonders you'll find when you take a minute

to just stoop down and appreciate the intricacies of insects?

This episode is pretty long,

but trust the process because it is jam-packed

with just mind-blowing revelations about the cutthroat world of bugs.

Just the Zoo of Us presents Assassin Bugs with Ilan Domit. Hey everybody.

Hey everybody, it is Ellen Weatherford.

I'm here with Just the Zoo of Us, your favorite animal review podcast.

And this week, I'm really excited to talk about a bug that I'm like only a little bit familiar with.

So I'm ready to learn.

We're joined today by Ilan Domitch. Say hi,

...