NatureNotes

Fig beetle Nov 08, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener in Myrtle Beach identify a metallic beetle they found.

Young black racer snake Nov 07, 2023

On today's NatureNotes, Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a juvenile black racer. While adult snakes of this species are known for their black coloring, young ones can often be multi-colored.

Pollen Nov 06, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses pollen season and its effects on both plants and animals.

Yellowjackets Nov 03, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses the breakdown of a yellowjacket nest.

Death and the circle of life Nov 02, 2023

As the world marks All Souls Day and Día de Muertos, Rudy Mancke reflects on the important of death in the natural world and the circle of life.

Crabapples Nov 01, 2023

As we mark All Saints Day, Rudy Mancke discusses the harvest season and South Carolina's species of crabapples.

Marbled orbweaver aka 'Halloween spider' Oct 31, 2023

Happy Halloween! Today on NatureNotes, Rudy Mancke looks at Araneus marmoreus, the marbled orbweaver, which is sometimes called the "Halloween spider" due to the female's orange coloring.

Mournful sphinx moth Oct 30, 2023

As we celebrate the Halloween season, Rudy Mancke discusses the somber-looking mournful sphinx moth.

Summer tanagers Oct 27, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify an adolescent summer tanager.

Monkey slugs Oct 26, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses the hag moth and its larva commonly known as "monkey slugs."

Spiny-backed orb-weaver spider Oct 25, 2023

Gasteracantha cancriformis, the spiny-backed orb-weaver, is a species of spider whose females are known for their brightly colored, shell-like abdomens which have six prominent spines.

Mushrooms Oct 24, 2023

On today's NatureNotes, Rudy Mancke discusses common types of mushrooms.

'The October leaf-fading is a festival..." Oct 23, 2023

Rudy Mancke reflects on a quote from Lucy Larcom's "Beckonings for Every Day."

Female railroad worm Oct 20, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses the female railroad worm, a type of glow-worm, that is known for it bioluminescence.

Yellow in nature Oct 19, 2023

Rudy Mancke muses on the prevalence of the color yellow during autumn.

Longhorn beetle Oct 18, 2023

Listeners hear something that goes bump in the night, but Rudy Mancke says it's just a long-horned boring beetle.

'There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on...' Oct 17, 2023

On today's NatureNotes, Rudy Mancke reflects on a quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The American Notebooks."

Found eastern box turtle shell Oct 16, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener who found a discarded eastern box turtle shell on their deck.

Polyphemus moth caterpillar Oct 13, 2023

The caterpillar of Antheraea polyphemus, the polyhpemus moth, is known for its bright green coloration.

Mediterranean house gecko Oct 12, 2023

Hemidactylus turcicus, the Mediterranean house gecko, is a species of house gecko common to the Mediterranean area which has spread to many parts of the world.

Nursery web spider Oct 11, 2023

Nursery web spiders are so named because females of the species build tent-like webs to house their egg sacs as their young are about to hatch.

Pandorus sphinx moth Oct 10, 2023

Eumorpha pandorus, the Pandorus sphinx moth, is known for its dark markings and narrow wings.

Robust conehead katydid Oct 09, 2023

Neoconocephalus bivocatus, the robust conehead katydid, is one of several katydid species found in South Carolina. It is known for its distinctive head shape and loud, harsh song.

Brunner's mantis Oct 06, 2023

Brunneria borealis, commonly known as Brunner's mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to the Southern US.

Eastern lubber grasshopper Oct 05, 2023

The eastern lubber is a species of colorful grasshopper widely found throughout the southeastern US.

Isaac Newton quote Oct 04, 2023

Rudy Mancke shares a favorite quote from Isaac Newton about our place in the universe.

Question mark vs comma butterflies Oct 03, 2023

Rudy Mancke breaks down the difference in markings between question mark butterflies and comma butterflies.

Giant Atlantic cockle Oct 02, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a bivalve that had squirted water on them at the beach.

Rainbow scarab Sep 29, 2023

Phanaeus vindex, the rainbow scarab, is a species of dung beetle known for its bright metallic shell.

Brown anole Sep 28, 2023

The brown anole, Anolis sagrei, is a species of lizard in the family native to Cuba and the Bahamas.

White jelly fungus Sep 27, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a bumpy, jelly-like fungus found after a recent hurricane.

Sweet autumn clematis Sep 26, 2023

Clematis terniflora, sweet autumn clematis, is a woody and fragrant vine known for its white flowers. It is considered an invasive plant.

Rosy maple moth Sep 25, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses the colorful dryocampa rubicunda, commonly known as the rosy maple moth, and its caterpillar form called the greenstriped mapleworm.

Autumn equinox Sep 22, 2023

In 2023, the autumn equinox falls on Saturday, September 23.

'Fish on a line' Sep 21, 2023

Chasmanthium latifolium, also commonly known as "fish on a line," inland sea oats, and river oats, is a species of grass native to the central and eastern United States.

Long-tailed skipper Sep 20, 2023

Urbanus proteus, commonly called the long-tailed skipper, is a spread-winged skipper butterfly found throughout tropical and subtropical South America, south to Argentina and north into the southern part of the United States of America.

Eastern cottonmouth Sep 19, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses the venomous eastern cottonmouth, sometimes known as water moccasin.

Regal walnut moth Sep 18, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps two listeners identify different life stages of the regal walnut moth.

James Thomson poem Sep 15, 2023

Rudy Mancke reads a selection from James Thomson's poem "The Castle of Indolence."

Madtoms Sep 14, 2023

Madtoms are a family of freshwater catfish that are generally only 2-5 inches in length.

Eastern pondhawk Sep 13, 2023

Erythemis simplicicollis, commonly called the eastern pondhawk, is a species of dragonfly native to North America.

Cicada killer wasp Sep 12, 2023

Sphecius speciosus, commonly known as the cicada killer, is a species of solitary wasp that preys on cicadas.

Potter wasp nest Sep 11, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify the distinctively shaped nest of a potter wasp.

Wild muscadine grapes Sep 08, 2023

Vitis rotundifolia, commonly known as muscadine, is species of grape native to the southeastern United States.

Lizard scat Sep 07, 2023

Rudy Mancke hears from a listener who found animal waste in their garage.

Common gallinule Sep 06, 2023

Gallinula galeata, the common gallinule, is a species of bird common to the wetlands of the United States. It is closely related to the common moorhen.

Mole kingsnake Sep 05, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a snake they found under some plywood in their yard.

Cicadas Sep 05, 2023

It's that time of year again! Rudy Mancke discusses the cicadas we've been hearing and seeing lately.

Dragonflies Sep 04, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses several species of dragonfly common to North America.

Brain-eating amoeba Sep 01, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses naegleria fowleri, often called the "brain-eating amoeba."

Silver-spotted skipper Aug 31, 2023

Epargyreus clarus, commonly known as the silver-spotted skipper, is an insect in the butterfly family.

Eastern rat snake Aug 30, 2023

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake native to North America.

Spotted-winged antlion Aug 29, 2023

Dendroleon obsoletus, commonly known as the spotted-winged antlion, is a species of antlion found in North America.

Black vulture vs turkey vulture Aug 28, 2023

Rudy Mancke breaks down the differences between black vultures and turkey vultures.

Five-lined skink Aug 24, 2023

Plestiodon fasciatus, commonly known as the five-lined skink, is one of the most common lizards in the eastern United States.

White-lined sphinx moth Aug 23, 2023

Hyles lineata, the white-lined sphinx moth, is sometimes known as the hummingbird moth because of its bird-like size and flight pattern.

Northern ringneck snake Aug 22, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a small snake with a ring around its neck.

Oakworm moth Aug 21, 2023

Oakworm moths are a species of silk moth that can be found in many areas of North America.

Cayaponia or creeping cucumber? Aug 18, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener determine if a vine is a cayaponia or a creeping cucumber.

Caterpillars and braconid wasps Aug 17, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses how certain parasitic wasps use caterpillars to host their eggs.

Honeybees in your birdbath Aug 16, 2023

Rudy Mancke hears from a listener who has seen a number of honeybees drinking from the birdbath in their yard.

Golden silk spider Aug 15, 2023

Trichonephila clavipes, commonly known as the golden silk spider, the golden silk orb-weaver, or the banana spider, is a species of large orb-weaving spiders native to both North and South America.

Robber flies Aug 14, 2023

Asilidae, commonly known as robber flies, are a predatory family of flies that feed mainly on other insects.

Timber rattlesnakes Aug 11, 2023

The areas where you can find timber rattlesnakes in South Carolina are expanding. Rudy Mancke discusses.

Drexel's datana moths Aug 10, 2023

Datana drexelii, commonly known as the Drexel's datana, is a species of moth native to North America.

Moths in South Carolina Aug 09, 2023

South Carolina is home to several species of moths. Rudy Mancke talks about why that's the case.

Devil's walking stick Aug 07, 2023

Aurelia spinosa, commonly called the devil's walking stick, is a species of plant known for it's sharp, spiny stems and compound leaves.

Pupating caterpillar Aug 04, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a caterpillar that is preparing to pupate.

Hanging thief robber fly Aug 03, 2023

Diogmites neoternatus, commonly known as the hanging thief robber fly, use their front legs to hang from plants in order to catch prey with the other four legs.

Gray fox Aug 02, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify an animal he saw in his yard.

Metallic wood-boring beetles Aug 01, 2023

Rudy Mancke discusses metallic wood-boring beetles and their larvae known as flat-headed wood-borers.

Four-spotted pennant dragonfly Jul 31, 2023

Brachymesia gravida, commonly known as the four-spotted pennant, is a species of skimmer dragonfly found in North America.

Giant swallowtail caterpillars Jul 28, 2023

The larval stage of the giant swallowtail butterfly is a caterpillar that resembles bird droppings.

Green lacewing eggs Jul 27, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify the chandelier-like eggs of the green lacewing.

Stinky squid stinkhorn mushrooms Jul 26, 2023

Pseudocolus fusiformis is a species of stinkhorn mushroom commonly called the "stinky squid" due to it's odor and the three or four tentacle-like growths that connect at the top.

Poems celebrating the seasons Jul 25, 2023

Rudy Mancke shares verses from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Lord Byron celebrating the seasons.

Rolling swarms of caterpillars Jul 24, 2023

In order to move faster, caterpillars and some other insects form formations known as "rolling swarms" by crawling over each other.

Mystery skeleton Jul 21, 2023

Rudy Mancke helps to identify a mystery skeleton sent to him by Jim Welch, his former co-host on SCETV's "NatureScene."

Samson foxes Jul 21, 2023

Samson foxes are a strain of red foxes which have a recessive trait preventing long hair growth.

Nature's recycling system Jul 19, 2023

Rudy Mancke shares a note from a listener about how thinking of nature as a recycling system has changed their view on life.

Regal moths Jul 18, 2023

Citheronia regalis, commonly known as the regal moth or royal walnut moth, is native to the eastern United States.

Pawpaw trees Jul 17, 2023

Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw tree, is the only North American member of the tropical plant family Annonaceae and produces the large edible fruit native to the continent.

Eastern hognose snake Jul 14, 2023

Heterodon platirhinos, commonly known as the eastern hognose snake, is a species of snake which grow to be 20-30 inches long with a thick body and an upturned snout. These snakes mainly feed on amphibians, are not harmful to humans, and will play dead when threatened.

Mystery skull Jul 13, 2023

A listener from Horry County asks Rudy Mancke to help identify a skull found on their property. While partially devoured, the skull's teeth point to it belonging to a member of the rabbit family.

Cuckoo wasps Jul 12, 2023

Cuckoo wasps are a family of parasitic wasps with often brilliant metallic colored bodies.

Vireo nests Jul 11, 2023

White-eyed and red-eyed vireos are species of birds common to the eastern United States. They are known for building nests using materials like spider silk and caterpillar silk to attach their nests between tree branches.

Giant stag beetle Jul 10, 2023

Lucanus elaphus, commonly known as the giant stag beetle, the elk stag beetle, or the elephant stag beetle, is a species of large beetles native to eastern North America. Male giant stag beetles can reach 2.5 inches in length, including large antler-like mandibles.

Barn swallows Jul 07, 2023

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It appears to have the largest natural distribution of any of the world's passerines, ranging over 251 million square kilometres globally. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Red-bellied snakes Jul 06, 2023

Storeria occipitomaculata, commonly known as the redbelly snake or the red-bellied snake, is a species of harmless snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America (Canada and the United States).

Centipedes vs. millipedes Jul 05, 2023

Millipedes have two sets of legs per segment positioned directly under their body. Centipedes have one set of legs per segment positioned on the side of their body.

Wash those berries! Jul 04, 2023

Wild blackberries are delicious - but, don't eat them unless you thoroughly wash them!

Bones in the yard Jul 03, 2023

A listener finds the remains of an animal in her yard...

Eastern rat snake Jun 30, 2023

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America. Additional common names for P. alleghaniensis include black rat snake, pilot snake, pilot black snake, chicken snake; and in Florida, yellow rat snake and Everglades rat snake.

"Honey pots" Jun 29, 2023

A listener finds something in a bluebird box....

Cooper's hawk Jun 28, 2023

Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from southern Canada to Mexico. This species is a member of the genus Accipiter, sometimes referred to as true hawks, which are famously agile, relatively small hawks common to wooded habitats around the world and also the most diverse of all diurnal raptor genera.

Eastern king snake Jun 27, 2023

Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, common kingsnake, or chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid species endemic to the United States and Mexico. It has long been a favorite among collectors.

American redstart warbler Jun 26, 2023

The American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is a New World warbler. It is unrelated to the Old World (common) redstart.

Ash leafed maple Jun 23, 2023

Acer negundo, the box elder, boxelder maple, Manitoba maple or ash-leaved maple, is a species of maple native to North America. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree with opposite, compound leaves. It is sometimes considered a weedy or invasive species, and has been introduced to and naturalized throughout much of the world, including in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, much of Europe, and parts of Asia.

Spring ladies's tresses orchid Jun 22, 2023

Spiranthes vernalis, commonly called the spring ladies'-tresses, is a species of orchid that is native to North America, Central America and the Bahamas. It is a perennial that produces a spiral of white flowers in the early summer.

Happy Summer Solstice! Jun 21, 2023

The summer solstice, also called the estival solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern).

Eastern glass lizards Jun 20, 2023

The eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) is a species of legless lizard in the family Anguidae, endemic to the Southeastern United States.

Armored mayfly nymphs Jun 19, 2023

Baetisca is a genus of armored mayflies in the family Baetiscidae. There are about 12 described species in Baetisca.

Water snakes are on the move Jun 16, 2023

The eastern cottonmouth is the only venomous water snake in South Carolina. The rest are no danger to humans.

Mississippi kites Jun 15, 2023

The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Mississippi kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air.

Cedar-hawthorne rust Jun 14, 2023

The cedar-hawthorn rust is common all across the Midwest and Eastern United States. Its overwintering capability allows it to thrive in seasonal climates with harsh winters. The pathogen that causes it, Gymnosporangium globosum, prefers humid and cloudy conditions for developing growth and the spores depend on rain and wind to be dispersed to its alternate host.

What is so rare as a day in June? Jun 13, 2023

"What is so rare as a day in June?" Rudy shares some poetry about summer by James Russell Lowell and Mary Russell Mitford.

Magnolia green jumper Jun 12, 2023

Lyssomanes viridis, commonly known as the magnolia green jumper, is a species of jumping spider of the genus Lyssomanes, for which it is the type species. The species is native to the United States, being found in much of the Southeastern United States as far north as Pennsylvania and down into parts of Texas.

Scrambled eggs slime mold Jun 09, 2023

Fuligo septica is a species of slime mold, and a member of the class Myxomycetes. It is commonly known as scrambled egg slime, or flowers of tan because of its peculiar yellowish appearance. It is also known as dog vomit slime mold or Jasmine mold and is relatively common with a worldwide distribution, often being found on bark mulch in urban areas after heavy rain or excessive watering. Their spores are produced on or in aerial sporangia and are spread by wind.

Southern cricket frog Jun 08, 2023

The southern cricket frog or southeastern cricket frog (Acris gryllus) is a small hylid frog native to the Southeastern United States. It is very similar in appearance and habits to the northern cricket frog, Acris crepitans, and was considered formerly conspecific (Dickerson 1906). The scientific name Acris is from the Greek word for locust, and the species name gryllus is Latin for cricket.

Imperial moths Jun 07, 2023

Eacles imperialis, the imperial moth, is a member of the family Saturniidae and subfamily Ceratocampinae. It is found mainly in the East of South America and North America, from the center of Argentina to south Canada. The species was first described by Dru Drury in 1773.

Barracuda Jun 06, 2023

A barracuda is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, on its western border the Caribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Rattlebush Jun 05, 2023

Sesbania drummondii, known as poisonbean, rattlebox and rattlebush, is a medium-sized perennial shrub in the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, from Texas east to Florida.

American lady butterflies Jun 02, 2023

The American painted lady or American lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a butterfly found throughout North America.

The caterpillar and the assassin bug Jun 01, 2023

A listener was happy to spot a monarch butterfly caterpillar on her milkweed plant. But, there was another vistor on the plant, not so welcome.

Eastern snapping turtles May 31, 2023

The common snapping turtle, or eastern snapping turtle, (Chelydra serpentina) is a species of large freshwater turtle in the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida.

Tiger swallowtail butterflies May 30, 2023

Papilio glaucus, the eastern tiger swallowtail, is a species of butterfly native to eastern North America. It is one of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern United States, ranging north to southern Ontario, Canada, and is common in many different habitats. It flies from spring until fall, during which it produces two to three broods.

A nesting Carolina wren May 29, 2023

Carolina wrens like to nest in corners and cubbies, as a listener found out.

Thoughts about Spring May 26, 2023

Rudy is thinking of Spring and shares a quote from Tom Hood and one from Emerson.

Cecropia moths May 25, 2023

Hyalophora cecropia, the cecropia moth, is North America's largest native moth. It is a member of the family Saturniidae, or giant silk moths. Females have been documented with a wingspan of five to seven inches (160 mm) or more. These moths can be found all across North America as far west as Washington and north into the majority of Canadian provinces.

Crab spiders May 24, 2023

Xysticus ferox, the brown crab spider, is a species of crab spider in the family Thomisidae.[1][2][3][4] It is found in the USA and Canada.

Eastern fox squirrels May 23, 2023

The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), also known as the eastern fox squirrel or Bryant's fox squirrel,[2] is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. Despite the differences in size and coloration, it is sometimes mistaken for American red squirrels or eastern gray squirrels in areas where the species co-exist.

A snake within a snake May 22, 2023

A black racer looses its meal...

White wicky May 19, 2023

A relative of our beloved mountain laurel is Kalmia angustifolia, called white wicky or sheep-kill. Like all members of the genus, every part of this plant is extremely toxic to humans and animals, as are imported and native rhododendrons and azaleas.

Silky camellia May 19, 2023

Stewartia malacodendron, the silky camellia, silky stewartia or Virginia stewartia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Theaceae. It grows slowly into a large deciduous shrub or small tree, typically 3–4.5 m (10–15 ft) tall, but sometimes as tall as 9 m (30 ft). It is native to the southeastern United States.

Coral bean May 17, 2023

Erythrina herbacea, commonly known as the coral bean, Cherokee bean, Mamou plant in South Louisiana, red cardinal or cardinal spear, is a flowering shrub or small tree found throughout the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico; it has also been reported from parts of Central America and, as an introduced species, from Pakistan.

Information and experiences May 16, 2023

"How do you know all this stuff?"

Rose-breasted grosbeaks May 15, 2023

The rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), colloquially called "cut-throat" due to its coloration, is a large, seed-eating grosbeak in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae).

A copperhead trophy May 12, 2023

With some advice from Rudy, a listener has preserved the skin of a copperhead snake.

Ladybird beetles and aphids May 11, 2023

Ladybird beetles and aphids have a predator/prey relationship.

"I go a-gunning..." May 10, 2023

Rudy shares some words from poet Sam Walter Foss.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds May 09, 2023

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is the most common hummingbird in eastern North America.

Wild azaleas May 08, 2023

North American azaleas are commonly confused with azaleas of Asian origin, the evergreen azaleas.

Wool sower galls May 05, 2023

Callirhytis seminator, the wool sower, is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The adult wasps are about 1/8" in length and dark brown in color. They lay the egg in a gall, a round, white structure resembling a cotton ball. It starts out white and later changes color.

Copperhead snakes May 04, 2023

The eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), also known as the copperhead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper, endemic to eastern North America; it is a member of the subfamily Crotalinae in the family Viperidae.

South Carolna's sturgeons May 03, 2023

There are two types of sturgeons that live off the coast of South Carolina and spawn in its fresh waters.

Larval food plants May 02, 2023

Zebra swallowtail, Eastern swallowtail, spice bush swallowtail, black swallowtail, palomides swallowtail - all of each of these species of butterfly has its primary, of not sole, larval food plant.

Forest tent caterpillars May 01, 2023

The forest tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma disstria) is a moth found throughout North America, especially in the eastern regions. Unlike related tent caterpillar species, the larvae of forest tent caterpillars do not make tents, but rather, weave a silky sheet where they lie together during molting.

Chinaberry trees Apr 28, 2023

Melia azedarach, commonly known as the chinaberry tree, pride of India, bead-tree, Cape lilac, syringa berrytree, Persian lilac, Indian lilac, or white cedar, is a species of deciduous tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to Indomalaya and Australasia.

Starfish stinkhorn mushroom Apr 27, 2023

Aseroe rubra, commonly known as the anemone stinkhorn, sea anemone fungus and starfish fungus, is a common and widespread basidiomycete fungus recognizable for its foul odour of carrion and its sea anemone shape when mature. Found in gardens on mulch and in grassy areas, it resembles a red star-shaped structure covered in brownish slime on a white stalk. It attracts flies, which spread its spores.

Remembering Chernobyl Apr 26, 2023

Today is the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear plant's meltdown.

Horse sugar and fringe trees are flowering now Apr 25, 2023

Two of Rudy's favorite plants are now flowering in South Carolina.

Metamorphosis - not always perfect Apr 24, 2023

A listener finds a luna moth that has not metamorphisized perfectly.

Celebrating Earth Day Apr 21, 2023

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.

False widow spiders Apr 20, 2023

Steatoda grossa, commonly known as the cupboard spider, the dark comb-footed spider, the brown house spider (in Australia), or the false widow or false black widow (though several other species are known by these names), is a common species of spider in the genus Steatoda.

Mining bees Apr 19, 2023

Mining bees belong to the genus Andrena. This is a genus of bees in the family Andrenidae. With over 1,500 species, it is one of the largest genera of animals.

Barking tree frog Apr 18, 2023

Dryophytes gratiosus, commonly known as the barking tree frog, is a species of tree frog endemic to the south-eastern United States.

A mystery "skull"? Apr 17, 2023

A listener finds what he thinks is a animal's skull. Turns out, it's not a skull at all.

A rememberance Apr 14, 2023

Rudy shares a poetic rememberence of a friend and fellow naturalist.

Mole salamanders Apr 12, 2023

Terrestrial mole salamanders are identified by having wide, protruding eyes, prominent costal grooves, and thick arms. Most have vivid patterning on dark backgrounds, with marks ranging from deep blue spots to large yellow bars depending on the species.

Mystery bones Apr 11, 2023

A listener reports some skeletal remains he found on Dreher Island State Park...

Caterpillar for the case-bearing clothes moths Apr 10, 2023

Tinea pellionella, the case-bearing clothes moth, is a species of tineoid moth in the family Tineidae, the fungus moths. This species has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring nearly worldwide.

Rare plants at Forty Acre Rock Apr 07, 2023

Rudy shares sightings of rare plants from a recent nature walk at Forty Acre Rock.

Mediterranean geckos Apr 06, 2023

The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a species of house gecko common to the Mediterranean area which has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko[1] as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it emerges in the evening.

Eastern garter snakes are "early risers" Apr 05, 2023

The eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) is a medium-sized snake indigenous to North America.

Red-tailed hawk Apr 04, 2023

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies.

Luna moths Apr 03, 2023

The Luna moth (Actias luna) also known as the American moon moth is a Nearctic moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae, a group commonly known as giant silk moths.

Piebald white-tailed deer Mar 31, 2023

Often confused with an albino, a piebald deer is slightly more common and is also a genetic mutation. Piebald deer can have varying amounts of white hair.

Red crossbill Mar 30, 2023

The red crossbill or common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. Crossbills have distinctive mandibles, crossed at the tips, which enable them to extract seeds from conifer cones and other fruits.

Eastern garter snakes are out and about this time of year Mar 29, 2023

Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae. Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the subarctic plains of Canada to Costa Rica.

Wilson's phalarope Mar 28, 2023

Wilson's phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is a small wader. This bird, the largest of the phalaropes, breeds in the prairies of North America in western Canada and the western United States. It is migratory, wintering in inland salt lakes near the Andes in Argentina.

Mystery bones Mar 27, 2023

A listener reports on a Cub Scout field trip, during which some skeletal remains were found.

Bobcats Mar 24, 2023

The bobcat (Lynx rufus), also known as the red lynx, is a medium-sized cat native to North America. It ranges from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States to Oaxaca in Mexico. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002, due to its wide distribution and large population. Although it has been hunted extensively both for sport and fur, populations have proven stable, though declining in some areas.

A word of appreciation from a listener Mar 23, 2023

Rudy shares a word of appreciation from a listener.

Muscovy ducks Mar 22, 2023

The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to the Americas, from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, the Big Island of Hawaii, as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada.

Spring! Mar 21, 2023

Welcome to spring!

Happy vernal equinox Mar 20, 2023

A solar equinox is a moment in time when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator, which is to say, appears directly above the equator, rather than north or south of the equator. On the day of the equinox, the Sun appears to rise "due east" and set "due west". This occurs twice each year, around 20 March and 23 September.

Adventures in the backyard Mar 17, 2023

A listener from James Island shares some of the recent visitors to his backyard, captured by his wildlife camera.

Columnar stinkhorns Mar 16, 2023

Clathrus columnatus, commonly known as the column stinkhorn, is a saprobic species of basidiomycete fungus in the family Phallaceae. It has a widespread distribution, and has been found in Africa, Australasia, and the Americas. It may have been introduced to North America with exotic plants.

Native blueberries Mar 15, 2023

Native blueberries are blooming now.

Flowers in bloom Mar 14, 2023

Many of the early blooming flowers in South Carolina are non-native species.

Bird sightings Mar 13, 2023

Rudy recalls some of the many birds he sighted in his backyard during the Great Backyard Bird Count.

"The rhodora" Mar 10, 2023

Rudy shares a poem by Emerson.

Remembering a fellow nature lover Mar 09, 2023

Rudy shares memories of a fellow nature lover.

Bird sightings Mar 08, 2023

Rudy shares some backyard bird sightings.

Two-tailed skink? Mar 07, 2023

The (American) five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae.

Red tailed hawks Mar 06, 2023

he red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies.

Harbringers of spring Mar 02, 2023

Many of the early blooking flowers in South Carolina are asiatic species.

A good book for nature study Mar 01, 2023

Rudy recommends The Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock as a good general book for nature study.

"Snake doctors" Feb 28, 2023

There is an old folk tale behind the name "snake doctors" as applied to dragonflies.

Cedar wax wings Feb 27, 2023

The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a member of the family Bombycillidae or waxwing family of passerine birds. It is a medium-sized, mostly brown, gray, and yellow.

Southern short-tailed shrew Feb 24, 2023

The southern short-tailed shrew (Blarina carolinensis) is a gray, short-tailed shrew that inhabits the eastern United States.

Parasitoid wasps Feb 23, 2023

Parasitoid wasps are a large group of hymenopteran superfamilies, with all but the wood wasps (Orussoidea) being in the wasp-waisted Apocrita. As parasitoids, they lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, sooner or later causing the death of these hosts.

"Naturalized" organisms Feb 22, 2023

Some common plants in South Carolina were introduced, purposely or accidentally, and have made a place in the ecosystem. They are called "naturalized."

Polyphemus moth cocoon Feb 22, 2023

A listener finds a cocoon with a small hole in it...

Ring-billed gulls Feb 21, 2023

The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull. The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird. The specific delawarensis refers to the Delaware River.

Princess tree Feb 20, 2023

Paulownia tomentosa, common names princess tree, empress tree, or foxglove-tree, is a deciduous hardwood tree in the family Paulowniaceae, native to central and western China. It is an extremely fast-growing tree with seeds that disperse readily, and is a persistent exotic invasive species in North America, where it has undergone naturalisation in large areas of the Eastern US.

Varied carpet beetle Feb 17, 2023

The varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) is a 3 mm-long beetle belonging to the family Dermestidae. They are a common species, often considered a pest of domestic houses and, particularly, natural history museums, where the larvae may damage natural fibers and can damage carpets, furniture, clothing, and insect collections.

The love of Nature can change a life Feb 16, 2023

A listener shares a moving story about discovering her love of nature.

Half-winged cone head katydid Feb 15, 2023

Belocephalus is a genus of short-winged coneheads in the family Tettigoniidae. Coneheads are a type of bush crickets or katydids. There are about eight described species in Belocephalus.

Eastern chipmunks Feb 14, 2023

The name "chipmunk" comes from an Ojibwe word which translates literally as "one who descends trees headlong." First described by Mark Catesby in his 1743 The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, the chipmunk was eventually classified as Sciurus striatus by Linnaeus, meaning "striped squirrel" in Latin. The scientific name was changed to Tamias striatus, meaning "striped steward," by Johann Illiger in 1811.

Northern river otter Feb 13, 2023

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.

Mystery skeleton Feb 10, 2023

A listener, cleaning up the roadside, finds the remains of an opposum.

Columnar stinkhorn Feb 09, 2023

Clathrus columnatus, commonly known as the columnar stinkhorn, is a saprobic species of basidiomycete fungus in the family Phallaceae.

The Dewy Morn Feb 08, 2023

Ruddy shares a quote from Richard Jeffries' novel, "The Dewy Morn."

A trip to the Appalachains Feb 07, 2023

A family calls on Rudy to help identify some of the things that they found walking in the Appalachian Mountains.

Anhingas Feb 06, 2023

The anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas.

Yellowjacket jeopardy Feb 03, 2023

Yellowjacket or yellow jacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black and yellow like the eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons.

Happy Groundhog Day! Feb 02, 2023

Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

Chert Feb 01, 2023

Chert is a hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz, the mineral form of silicon dioxide. Chert is characteristically of biological origin, but may also occur inorganically as a chemical precipitate or a diagenetic replacement, as in petrified wood.

Groundsel trees Jan 31, 2023

Baccharis halimifolia is a North American species of shrubs in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Nova Scotia, the eastern and southern United States (from Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma), eastern Mexico (Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Quintana Roo), the Bahamas, and Cuba.

Upland chorus frogs Jan 30, 2023

Found in the southern and eastern United States, the upland chorus frog is found from the state of New Jersey to the Florida panhandle; west to eastern Texas and southeast Oklahoma.

American woodcock Jan 27, 2023

The American woodcock (Scolopax minor), sometimes colloquially referred to as the timberdoodle, the bogsucker, the hokumpoke, and the Labrador twister, is a small shorebird species found primarily in the eastern half of North America. Woodcocks spend most of their time on the ground in brushy, young-forest habitats, where the birds' brown, black, and gray plumage provides excellent camouflage.

Winter fruits Jan 26, 2023

This is the time of year when birds, in search of seed, seek out winter fruit.

A chorus of frogs Jan 25, 2023

Even this time of year, you might hear spring peepers, chorus frogs, or wood frogs, depending where you are in South Carolina.

Bowfins Jan 24, 2023

The bowfin (Amia calva) is a bony fish, native to North America. Common names include mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, grindle, grinnel, swamp trout, and choupique. It is regarded as a relict, being the sole surviving species of the Halecomorphi, a group of fish that first appeared during the Early Triassic, around 250 million years ago.

Evening grosbeaks Jan 23, 2023

The evening grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae found in North America.

American beech trees in the fall Jan 20, 2023

Fagus grandifolia, the American beech or North American beech, is a species of beech tree native to the eastern United States and extreme southeast of Canada.

Flower in the crannied wall Jan 19, 2023

Rudy shares Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Flower in the crannied wall..."

Turkey vultures Jan 18, 2023

The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.

Anhinga Jan 17, 2023

The anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from a'ñinga in the Brazilian Tupi language and means "devil bird" or "snake bird". The origin of the name is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike.

Frost flowers Jan 16, 2023

A frost flower or ice flower is formed when thin layers of ice are extruded from long-stemmed plants in autumn or early winter. The thin layers of ice are often formed into exquisite patterns that curl into "petals" that resemble flowers.

Birds out of place Jan 13, 2023

A long time bird watcher reports a white-crowned sparrow sighting, but not in a region of South Carolina where one might usually find it.

Foxfire Jan 12, 2023

Foxfire, also called fairy fire and chimpanzee fire, is the bioluminescence created by some species of fungi present in decaying wood. The bluish-green glow is attributed to a luciferase, an oxidative enzyme, which emits light as it reacts with a luciferin. The phenomenon has been known since ancient times, with its source determined in 1823.

Wintering birds Jan 12, 2023

Rudy shares a list of birds that he sighted in his backyard during the Christmas cold snap.

Hummingbird clearwing moth Jan 12, 2023

Hemaris thysbe, the hummingbird clearwing, is a moth of the family Sphingidae (hawkmoths). Coloration varies between individuals, but typically the moth is olive green and burgundy on its back, and white or yellow and burgundy on the underside. Its wings are transparent with a reddish-brown border. It has light-colored legs, which combined with the lack of striping on the underside is diagnostic. Beating its wings rapidly, H. thysbe hovers to collect nectar from a variety of flowers. The combination of its appearance and its behavior commonly leads to it being confused with a hummingbird or bumblebee. It is found in a large portion of North America, with a range extending from Alaska to Oregon in the west and from Newfoundland to Florida in the east.

Eastern hognose snake Jan 09, 2023

The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos), also known as the spreading adder and by various other common names, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Osage orange trees Jan 06, 2023

Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, native to the south-central United States. It typically grows about 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall. The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall. The fruits secrete a sticky white latex when cut or damaged. Despite the name "Osage orange", it is not related to the orange.

Winter birds in South Carolina Jan 05, 2023

Rudy shares some of his favorite birds that winter in South Carolina.

Cricket vs. fungus Jan 04, 2023

Can a fungus kill an insect? Yes!

De Kay's brown snake Jan 03, 2023

Storeria dekayi, commonly known as De Kay's brown snake, De Kay's snake, and simply the brown snake (along with many others), is a small non-venomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America and Central America.

"When I heard the learned astronomer..." Jan 02, 2023

Rudy shares a quote from Walt Whitman.

Mediterranean house geckos Dec 30, 2022

The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a species of house gecko common to the Mediterranean area which has spread to many parts of the world.

Two-striped walking sticks Dec 29, 2022

Anisomorpha buprestoides, the southern two-striped walkingstick, devil rider, or musk mare, is a stick insect (order Phasmatodea: otherwise known as "phasmids" or walkingsticks) which occurs throughout the southeastern United States. Anisomorpha buprestoides is a large, stout (for a stick insect) brown phasmid with three conspicuous longitudinal black stripes. Females average 67.7 mm (2.67 in) in length; males are smaller and more slender, averaging 41.7 mm (1.64 in).

Shellback crabs Dec 28, 2022

Hypoconcha sp. (shellback crabs) are among some of the most interesting decapod crustaceans. As members of the Dromiidae family, these crabs have fourth and fifth walking legs that are modified to secure a bivalve shell on their back for protection. They can bear a fragment or a whole shell that is larger than their body size.

Bobcats Dec 27, 2022

The bobcat (Lynx rufus), also known as the red lynx, is a medium-sized cat native to North America. It ranges from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States to Oaxaca in Mexico. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002, due to its wide distribution and large population. Although it has been hunted extensively both for sport and fur, populations have proven stable, though declining in some areas.

"Those who love Nature can never be dull..." Dec 26, 2022

Rudy shares some words from John Lubbock.

Bringing the outdoors inside for the holidays can offer some surprises Dec 23, 2022

There are any number of insects, cocoons or eggs that might be in the live greenery we like to bring into our homes during winter.

Butterflies in winter Dec 22, 2022

What happens to butterflies in the winter?

Happy winter solstice! Dec 21, 2022

In the northern hemisphere today there will be the longest period of darkness of the year.

Protecting special places Dec 20, 2022

Rudy visits a very special piece of land in the Piedmont.

Brachonid wasps Dec 19, 2022

The larvae of most braconids are internal or external primary parasitoids of other insects. Most species kill their hosts, though some cause the hosts to become sterile and less active.

Golden Guides on nature Dec 16, 2022

Rudy remembers his first books on nature.

Bearded hedgehog mushroom Dec 15, 2022

Hericium erinaceus (also called lion's mane mushroom, mountain-priest mushroom, bearded hegehog mushroom, or bearded tooth fungus) is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group. Native to North America, Europe and Asia, it can be identified by its long spines (greater than 1 cm length), occurrence on hardwoods, and tendency to grow a single clump of dangling spines. The fruit bodies can be harvested for culinary use.

Gulls on the rocks Dec 14, 2022

Ringbill gulls and Bonaparte's gulls spend the winters on South Carolina's inland rivers and lakes.

Eastern ratsnake Dec 13, 2022

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.

Amber jellyroll fungus Dec 12, 2022

Exidia recisa (common name willow brain or amber jelly roll) is a jelly fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. It is a common, wood-rotting species throughout the northern hemisphere, typically growing on dead attached twigs and branches of willow and other broadleaf trees.

"Let mystery have it's place in you" Dec 09, 2022

Rudy shares a quote from Amiel's Journal, by Henri-Frédéric Amiel.

Green lacewings Dec 08, 2022

Green lacewings are insects in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. There are about 85 genera and (differing between sources) 1,300–2,000 species in this widespread group. Members of the genera Chrysopa and Chrysoperla are very common in North America and Europe.

Cicadas Dec 07, 2022

The cicadas are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers. The superfamily is divided into two families, the Tettigarctidae, with two species in Australia, and the Cicadidae, with more than 3,000 species described from around the world; many species remain undescribed.

Groundhogs are expanding their range in SC Dec 06, 2022

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. The groundhog is a lowland creature of North America; it is found through much of the Eastern United States, across Canada and into Alaska. It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

Keeping a cocoon Dec 05, 2022

A listener wants to know how to properly keep a cocoon until a moth emerges.

Happy Arbor Day! Dec 02, 2022

The first American Arbor Day was originated by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska, at an annual meeting of the Nebraska State board of agriculture held in Lincoln. On April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska. Birdsey Northrop of Connecticut was responsible for globalizing the idea when he visited Japan in 1883 and delivered his Arbor Day and Village Improvement message. In that same year, the American Forestry Association made Northrop the Chairman of the committee to campaign for Arbor Day nationwide. He also brought his enthusiasm for Arbor Day to Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Byozoan colonies Dec 01, 2022

Bryozoa (also known as the Polyzoa, Ectoprocta or commonly as moss animals) are a phylum of simple, aquatic invertebrate animals, nearly all living in sedentary colonies. Typically about 0.5 millimetres (1⁄64 in) long, they have a special feeding structure called a lophophore, a "crown" of tentacles used for filter feeding. Most marine bryozoans live in tropical waters, but a few are found in oceanic trenches and polar waters. The bryozoans are classified as the marine bryozoans (Stenolaemata), freshwater bryozoans (Phylactolaemata), and mostly-marine bryozoans (Gymnolaemata), a few members of which prefer brackish water. 5,869 living species are known.

Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle Nov 30, 2022

The Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera aspera), a subspecies in the Trionychidae family of softshell turtles, is endemic to the south-eastern United States. These turtles are found along the Gulf of Mexico from North Carolina to Mississippi. They live in temperate climates in freshwater biomes.

Golden silk spider Nov 29, 2022

Trichonephila clavipes (formerly known as Nephila clavipes), commonly known as the golden silk orb-weaver, golden silk spider, or banana spider (a name shared with several others), is an orb-weaving spider species which inhabits forests and wooded areas ranging from the southern US to Argentina.

Female crayfish and their young Nov 28, 2022

Crayfish eggs, attached to the female's abdomen, hatch in five to eight weeks. The larvae remain on the mother for several weeks.

A joro spider sighting Nov 25, 2022

Some listener report seeing a joro spider in Abbeville County.

Happy Thanksgiving! Nov 24, 2022

We are all part of the natural world.

Timber rattlesnake Nov 23, 2022

The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, or banded rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a species of pit viper endemic to eastern North America. Like all other pit vipers, it is venomous, and this species is sometimes highly venomous. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous Northeastern United States and is second only to its relatives to the west, the prairie rattlesnake, as the most northerly distributed venomous snake in North America.

Southern house spiders Nov 22, 2022

The southern house spider is a species of large spider in the family Filistatidae. Currently given the scientific name Kukulcania hibernalis, it was formerly known as Filistata hibernalis. Found in the Americas, it exhibits strong sexual dimorphism. It is occurs in the southern states of the USA, throughout Central America and some of the Caribbean, to southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The males may be mistaken for brown recluses because the two have similar coloration and body structure.

Rusty blackbirds Nov 21, 2022

The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a medium-sized New World blackbird, closely related to grackles ("rusty grackle" is an older name for the species). It is a bird that prefers wet forested areas, breeding in the boreal forest and muskeg across northern Canada, and migrating southeast to the United States during winter.

Eastern fence lizard Nov 18, 2022

The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) is a medium-sized species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is found along forest edges, rock piles, and rotting logs or stumps in the eastern United States. It is sometimes referred to as the prairie lizard, fence swift, gray lizard, gravid lizard, northern fence lizard or pine lizard. It is also referred to colloquially as the horn-billed lizard.

Great black wasps Nov 17, 2022

Sphex pensylvanicus, the great black wasp, is a species of digger wasp. It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). The larvae feed on living insects that the females paralyze and carry to the underground nest.

Rose-breasted grosbeaks and gray-cheeked thrushes Nov 16, 2022

A listener reports two casulties outside a window: a grey-cheeked thrush and a rose-breasted grosbeak.

Eastern garter snakes Nov 15, 2022

The eastern garter snake has a wide range across eastern North America, as far north as southern Ontario and Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico in the south, along the eastern shores of America to the Mississippi River. In New England, the snake is described as the "most widespread and ubiquitous" serpent, from wilderness to urban environments and from sea level to high elevations.

Yellow-necked caterpillars Nov 14, 2022

Datana ministra, the yellownecked caterpillar, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found in southern Canada and the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, in the south-west it ranges to California. The wingspan is about 42 mm. There is one generation per year.The larvae feed on Malus, Quercus, Betula and Salix species. Young larvae skeletonise the leaves of their host plant. Later, they feed on all of the leaf except the leaf stalk. They feed in groups. The larvae are yellowish and black striped and covered with fine, white hairs. The head is black. Full-grown larvae are about 50 mm long. Mature larvae drop to the soil to pupate underground, where they spend the winter.

Walking sticks Nov 11, 2022

The Phasmatodea (also known as Phasmida, Phasmatoptera or Spectra) are an order of insects whose members are variously known as stick insects, stick-bugs, walking sticks, stick animals, or bug sticks. They are also occasionally referred to as Devil's darning needles, although this name is shared by both dragonflies and crane flies.

Scarlet tanagers Nov 10, 2022

The scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) is a medium-sized American songbird. The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family, although the Piranga species lacks the thick conical bill (well suited to seed and insect eating) that many cardinals possess. The species resides in thick deciduous woodlands and suburbs.Females are yellowish on the underparts and olive on top, with yellow-olive-toned wings and tail. The adult male's winter plumage is similar to the female's, but the wings and tail remain darker.

"The sunshine is pecullarliy genial..." Nov 09, 2022

Rudy shares some words about fall from Nathaniel Hawthorne, from The American Notebooks.

Northern red-bellied snakes Nov 08, 2022

The northern red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) is a nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae, a subspecies of Storeria occipitomaculata. It is sometimes referred to as a fire snake. It is endemic, North America and The Caribbean in some parts in Jamaica, and Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia in the north and south to Florida and Texas. Adults grow to about 31 cm (12 in) in total length.

Katawba Valley Land Trust Nov 07, 2022

The Katawba Valley Land Trust is celebrating 30 years.

Netted stinkhorn Oct 27, 2022

Phallus duplicatus (common name, netted stinkhorn or wood witch) is a species of fungus in the stinkhorn family. The bell-shaped to oval cap is green-brown, the cylindrical stalk is white. When mature the cap becomes sticky with a slimy green coating that attracts flies that disperse its spores, and it has a distinct, "netted" universal veil. The fungus is edible when still in the "egg" stage, before the fruit body has expanded. It grows often in public lawns, and can also be found in meadows.

Apache jumper spider Oct 26, 2022

Phidippus apacheanus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.

Tersa sphinx moths Oct 25, 2022

Xylophanes tersa, the tersa sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1771. It is found from the United States (Massachusetts south to southern Florida, west to Nebraska, New Mexico and southern Arizona), through Mexico, the West Indies and Central America and into parts of South America (including Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil). An occasional stray can be found as far north as Canada.

Slug caterpillars Oct 24, 2022

The Limacodidae or Eucleidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea;[the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs. The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, and are mostly tropical, but occur worldwide, with about 1800 described species and probably many more as yet undescribed species.

Mistletoe Oct 21, 2022

Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.The eastern mistletoe native to North America, Phoradendron leucarpum, belongs to a distinct genus of the family Santalaceae.

Pine warblers Oct 20, 2022

The pine warbler (Setophaga pinus) is a small songbird of the New World warbler family.

Plants that are fruiting in the fall Oct 19, 2022

Many plants are fruiting this time of year in South Carolina.

Where do pond turtles spend the winter? Oct 18, 2022

Pond turtles, or sliders, are specially equipped to spend the winter months in hibernation at the bottom of ponds.

Anglepod milkvine Oct 17, 2022

Anglepod milkvine, also called anglepod, anglepod milkweed or angular-fruit milkvine, occurs throughout the southeastern U.S. from Texas to southeastern Kansas to southern Illinois and Indiana to Maryland and southward.

"Autumn" Oct 14, 2022

Rudy shares some words about autumn, and identifies a tree species.

Hickory horned devil Oct 13, 2022

Citheronia regalis, the regal moth or royal walnut moth, is a North American moth in the family Saturniidae. The caterpillars are called hickory horned devils. The adult (imago) has a wingspan of 3.75-6.1 in (9.5-15.5 cm). The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793.

Columnar stinkhorn Oct 12, 2022

Clathrus columnatus, commonly known as the column stinkhorn, is a saprobic species of basidiomycete fungus in the family Phallaceae. It has a widespread distribution, and has been found in Africa, Australasia, and the Americas.

Zebra longwing butterflies Oct 10, 2022

Heliconius charithonia, the zebra longwing or zebra heliconian, is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae.[2][3] It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae. The boldly striped black and white wing pattern is aposematic, warning off predators.

Barred owls Oct 07, 2022

The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl, is a North American large species of owl. A member of the true owl family, Strigidae, they belong to the genus Strix, which is also the origin of the family's name under Linnaean taxonomy. Barred owls are largely native to eastern North America, but have expanded their range to the west coast of North America where they are considered invasive. Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they can also acclimate to various gradients of open woodlands.

Copperhead snakes Oct 06, 2022

The copperhead is South Carolina's most common venemous snake.

Warble flies Oct 05, 2022

Warble fly is a name given to the genus Hypoderma: large flies which are parasitic on cattle and deer. Other names include "heel flies", "bomb flies" and "gadflies", while their larvae are often called "cattle grubs" or "wolves."

"Nature never did betray the heart that loved her." Oct 04, 2022

Rudy shares the words of William Wordsworth, from "Tinturn Abbey."

Juvenile yellow-crowned night heron Oct 03, 2022

The yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea), is one of two species of night herons found in the Americas, the other one being the black-crowned night heron. It is known as the bihoreau violacé in French and the pedrete corona clara in Spanish.

American dagger moth Sep 30, 2022

Acronicta americana, the American dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was originally described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841 and is native to North America.

Green lacewing Sep 29, 2022

Green lacewings are insects in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. There are about 85 genera and (differing between sources) 1,300–2,000 species in this widespread group. Members of the genera Chrysopa and Chrysoperla are very common in North America and Europe; they are very similar.

When owls attack Sep 28, 2022

An owl attacks a jogger's ponytail. What's going on?

Palamedes swallowtail butterfly Sep 27, 2022

Papilio palamedes, the Palamedes swallowtail or laurel swallowtail, is a North American butterfly in the family Papilionidae. This species may be found in habitats such as cypress swamplands, coastal swamplands, wet riparian forests, bay forests, and savannas in the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico.

Tobacco hornworms Sep 26, 2022

Commonly known the tobacco hornworm and the goliath worm (as larvae), and as the Carolina sphinx moth and the tobacco hawk moth (as adults), the Manduca sexta is closely related to and often confused with the very similar tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata).

Copse's gray tree frog Sep 23, 2022

Cope's gray treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis), also called the southern gray treefrog is a species of treefrog found in the United States. It is almost indistinguishable from the gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor), and shares much of its geographic range.

Happy first day of fall! Sep 22, 2022

The autumnal equinox (sometimes called the September equinox or southward equinox) is the moment when the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading southward. Due to differences between the calendar year and the tropical year, the September equinox may occur anytime from September 21 to 24.

Saddleback caterpillar Sep 21, 2022

The saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea, formerly Sibine stimulea) is the larva of a species of moth native to eastern North America. It is also found in Mexico. The species belongs to the family of slug caterpillars, Limacodidae.

Corn snakes Sep 20, 2022

The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, corn snakes lack functional venom and are harmless. Corn snakes are beneficial to humans by helping to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.

Sweet autumn clematis Sep 19, 2022

Clematis paniculata (in Māori puawhananga) is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is one of seven species of clematis native to New Zealand. C. paniculata is the most common of these, and is widespread in forest throughout the country.It is invasive, however, and displays aggressive growth in many areas of North America. C. terniflora can climb nearly 10 metres high, smothering trees and pulling down telephone poles.

Ailanthus moth Sep 16, 2022

The ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea) is an ermine moth now found commonly in the United States. It was formerly known under the scientific name Atteva punctella (see Taxonomy section). This small, very colorful moth resembles a true bug or beetle when not in flight, but in flight it resembles a wasp.

Cicada nymph chimneys Sep 15, 2022

The cicadas are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers. The superfamily is divided into two families, the Tettigarctidae, with two species in Australia, and the Cicadidae, with more than 3,000 species described from around the world; many species remain undescribed.

Northern flicker Sep 14, 2022

The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) or common flicker is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate.

Carolina pygmy rattlesnake Sep 13, 2022

Sistrurus miliarius, commonly called the pygmy rattlesnake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae (pit vipers) of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the Southeastern United States.

Bird's nest fungus Sep 12, 2022

The Nidulariaceae ('nidulus' - small nest) are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. Commonly known as the bird's nest fungi, their fruiting bodies resemble tiny egg-filled birds' nests. As they are saprobic, feeding on decomposing organic matter, they are often seen growing on decaying wood and in soils enriched with wood chips or bark mulch; they have a widespread distribution in most ecological regions.

Fruiting season Sep 09, 2022

Rudy talks about the various woodland fruits that feed both wildlife and humans.

Wolf spiders Sep 08, 2022

Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae. They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or chasing it over short distances; others wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow.

Fall: Season of change Sep 07, 2022

Rudy shares some verse from Percy Bysshe Shelley and prose from John Burrows.

Ironweed Sep 06, 2022

Vernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed or vein-leaf hawkweed) is a plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is native to the eastern United States, from Florida to Massachusetts and west to Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia and to southern Ontario.

Fall web worms Sep 05, 2022

The fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) is a moth in the family Erebidae known principally for its larval stage, which creates the characteristic webbed nests on the tree limbs of a wide variety of hardwoods in the late summer and fall. It is considered a pest but, does not harm otherwise healthy trees. It is well known to commercial tree services and arboriculturists.

Crane fly orchids Sep 02, 2022

Tipularia discolor, the crippled cranefly or crane-fly orchid, is a perennial terrestrial woodland orchid, a member of the family Orchidaceae. It is the only species of the genus Tipularia found in North America. It occurs in the southeastern United States from Texas to Florida, the range extending north into the Ohio Valley and along the Appalachians as far north as the Catskills. There are also isolated populations in Massachusetts and in the Great Lakes region.

Rosey maple moth Sep 01, 2022

Dryocampa rubicunda, the rosy maple moth, is a small North American moth in the family Saturniidae, also known as the great silk moths. It was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793. The species is known for its wooly body and pink and yellow coloration, which varies from cream or white to bright pink or yellow.[2] Males have bushier antennae than females, which allow them to sense female pheromones for mating.

Greenhouse millipedes Aug 31, 2022

The greenhouse millipede (Oxidus gracilis), also known as the hothouse millipede, short-flange millipede, or garden millipede, is a species of millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae that has been widely introduced around the world, and is sometimes a pest in greenhouses. Greenhouse millipedes are thought to be native to Japan, but have been introduced globally. They are found in the tropics as well as temperate North and South America, and all of Europe.

Stalked puffball-in-aspic Aug 30, 2022

Calostoma cinnabarinum is a species of gasteroid fungus in the family Sclerodermataceae, and is the type species of the genus Calostoma. It is known by several common names, including stalked puffball-in-aspic and gelatinous stalked-puffball. The fruit body has a distinctive color and overall appearance, featuring a layer of yellowish jelly surrounding a bright red, spherical head approximately 2 centimeters (0.8 in) in diameter atop a red or yellowish brown spongy stipe 1.5 to 4 cm (0.6 to 2 in) tall. The spore surface features a pattern of small pits, producing a net-like appearance. A widely distributed species, it grows naturally in eastern North America, Central America, northeastern South America, and East Asia. C. cinnabarinum grows on the ground in deciduous forests, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with oaks.

Eastern cicada killers Aug 29, 2022

Sphecius speciosus, often simply referred to as the cicada killer or the cicada hawk, is a large, solitary digger wasp species in the family Crabronidae. The name may be applied to any species of crabronid that preys on cicadas, though in North America, it is typically applied to this species, also referred to as the eastern cicada killer in order to further differentiate it from the multiple other examples of related wasp species. Sometimes, they are called sand hornets, although they are not hornets, which belong to the family Vespidae. This species can be found in the Eastern and Midwest U.S. and southwards into Mexico and Central America.

False potato beetle Aug 26, 2022

The false potato beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta) is a beetle found primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Its distribution extends to Maine.

"Ode to a Dragonfly" Aug 25, 2022

Rudy shares a poem...

Eastern ratsnake Aug 24, 2022

The eastern ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, is found in the United States east of the Apalachicola River in Florida, east of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, east of the Appalachian Mountains, north to southeastern New York and western Vermont, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, south to the Florida Keys. In the Florida Panhandle, it readily hybridizes with the gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides).Adults are shiny black dorsally, with a cream or white chin and throat. The belly has an irregular black and white checkerboard pattern, becoming uniformly slate gray towards the tail. Juveniles have dark dorsal blotches on a grayish ground color.

Black-bellied whistling duck Aug 23, 2022

The black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), formerly called the black-bellied tree duck, is a whistling duck that breeds from the southernmost United States, Mexico, and tropical Central to south-central South America. In the US, it can be found year-round in peninsular Florida, parts of southeast Texas, coastal Alabama and Mississippi and seasonally in southeast Arizona, and Louisiana's Gulf Coast. It is a rare breeder in such disparate locations as Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, though it is now a common breeder in parts of central Florida.

Hercules' club Aug 22, 2022

Aralia spinosa is an aromatic spiny deciduous shrub or small tree growing 7–26 ft tall, with a simple or occasionally branched stem with very large bipinnate leaves 30–45 in long. The trunks are up to 6–8 in in diameter, with the plants umbrella-like in habit with open crowns. The young stems are stout and thickly covered with sharp spines. The plants generally grow in clusters of branchless trunks, although stout wide-spreading branches are occasionally produced.

Hatching a sand lion larva Aug 19, 2022

A listener finds an ant lion larva and decides to "hatch" it...

Banded water snake Aug 18, 2022

N. fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and east to Florida. Adults of the banded water snake measure from 24 to 42 in in total length, with a record size (in the Florida subspecies) of 62.5 in in total length.

Six-spotted tiger beetle Aug 17, 2022

The six-spotted tiger beetle, also known as the six-spotted green tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), is a common North American species of Tiger beetles in the Cicindelinae subfamily. It is common in many areas of the states, and is well known. It is recognized for its bright green color and its flight pattern. They're usually harmless and live up to 3 years.

A tale of two moths Aug 16, 2022

Two moths living in South Carolina, two different ways of pupating...

The dangers of rat poison to birds of prey Aug 16, 2022

Second generation poisons take longer -- the rodents amass a higher concentration in their bodies; birds of prey that feed on the target animals are dying at unprecedented rates.

Elongate cannibal snail Aug 15, 2022

Euglandina rosea, the rosy wolfsnail or cannibal snail, is a species of medium-sized to large predatory air-breathing land snail, a carnivorous terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Spiraxidae.

Red-tailed hawks Aug 12, 2022

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide.

Golden silk spiders Aug 11, 2022

Nephila is a genus of araneomorph spiders noted for the impressive webs they weave. Nephila consists of numerous species found in warmer regions around the world. They are commonly called golden silk orb-weavers, golden orb-weavers, giant wood spiders, or banana spiders.

Ichneumon wasps Aug 10, 2022

The Ichneumonidae, also known as the ichneumon wasps, Darwin wasps, or ichneumonids, are a family of parasitoid wasps of the insect order Hymenoptera. Ichneumonid wasps, with very few exceptions, attack the immature stages of holometabolous insects and spiders, eventually killing their hosts. They thus fulfill an important role as regulators of insect populations, both in natural and semi-natural systems, making them promising agents for biological control.

Box turtles Aug 09, 2022

The common box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a species of box turtle with six existing subspecies. It is found throughout the Eastern United States and Mexico. The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lowered shell (the box) that allows it to completely enclose itself. Its upper jaw is long and curved.

Mystery bone Aug 08, 2022

Some listeners find a bone near a marsh on Hilton Head...

"Velvet ants" Aug 05, 2022

The Mutillidae are a family of more than 7,000 species of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Their common name velvet ant refers to their dense pile of hair, which most often is bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colors serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful stings

Millipedes Aug 04, 2022

Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a result of two single segments fused together. Most millipedes have very elongated cylindrical or flattened bodies with more than 20 segments, while pill millipedes are shorter and can roll into a ball. Although the name "millipede" derives from the Latin for "thousand feet", no species was known to have 1,000 or more until the discovery of Eumillipes persephone, which can have over 1,300 legs.

Railroad worm beetles Aug 03, 2022

The beetle family Phengodidae is known also as glowworm beetles, whose larvae are known as glowworms. The females and larvae have bioluminescent organs. They occur throughout the New World from extreme southern Canada to Chile. The recently recognized members of the Phengodidae, the Cydistinae, are found in Western Asia. The family Rhagophthalmidae, an Old World group, used to be included in the Phengodidae.

Antlions Aug 02, 2022

The antlions are a group of about 2,000 species of insect in the neuropteran family Myrmeleontidae. They are known for the predatory habits of their larvae, which mostly dig pits to trap passing ants or other prey. In North America, the larvae are sometimes referred to as doodlebugs because of the marks they leave in the sand. The adult insects are less well known due to their relatively short lifespans compared to the larvae. Adults, sometimes known as antlion lacewings, mostly fly at dusk or after dark and may be mistakenly identified as dragonflies or damselflies.

Brown widow spiders Aug 01, 2022

Latrodectus geometricus, commonly known as the brown widow, brown button spider, grey widow, brown black widow, house button spider or geometric button spider, is one of the widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus.

Carolina tiger beetles Jul 29, 2022

Tetracha carolina is a species of tiger beetle in the genus Tetracha. Its common name is the Carolina tiger beetle, or the pan american big-headed tiger beetle.

Beach hoppers Jul 28, 2022

Talitridae is a family of amphipods. Terrestrial species are often referred to as landhoppers and beach dwellers are called sandhoppers, beach hoppers, or sand fleas. The name sand flea is misleading, though, because these talitrid amphipods are not siphonapterans (true fleas), do not bite people, and are not limited to sandy beaches.

Backswimmer Jul 27, 2022

Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly called backswimmers because they swim "upside down" (inverted). They are all predators and typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 in) in length. They are similar in appearance to Corixidae (water boatmen), but can be separated by differences in their dorsal-ventral coloration, front legs, and predatory behavior. Backswimmers swim on their backs, vigorously paddling with their long, hair-fringed hind legs and attack prey as large as tadpoles and small fish. They can inflict a painful "bite" on a human being, actually a stab with their sharp tubular mouthparts (proboscis).

Florida betony Jul 26, 2022

Florida betony (Stachys floridana) is native to Florida and began appearing in other states in the 1940s and 50s. It has become an aggressive weed in residential and commercial landscapes in South Carolina.

Two-striped forceptail dragonfly Jul 25, 2022

A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera. Adult dragonflies are characterized by a pair of large, multifaceted compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the closely related damselflies, which make up the other odonatan infraorder (Zygoptera) and are similar in body plan though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen.Aphylla williamsoni, known generally as the "two-striped forceptail", is a species of clubtails in the family Gomphidae. It is found in North America.

Bark assasin bugs Jul 22, 2022

Assassin bugs belong to a large family of true bugs called the Reduviidae. There are approximately 160 species in North America, and many are commonly encountered around the home. The group is exclusively predaceous and many feed on a wide variety of landscape and garden pests including the fall webworm, tent caterpillar, Mexican bean beetle, and June beetles.

Mantis shrimp Jul 21, 2022

Mantis shrimp, or stomatopods, are carnivorous marine crustaceans of the order Stomatopoda, branching from other members of the class Malacostraca around 340 million years ago. Mantis shrimp typically grow to around 10 cm (3.9 in) in length, while a few can reach up to 38 cm (15 in).

Tile-horned preonus beetle Jul 20, 2022

Members of the Prionus genus are large and usually brown or black. All members of the genus Prionus have twelve or more strongly toothed or even flabellate antennomeres on their large antennae. Common North American species include the "tile-horned Prionus", Prionus imbricornis, the "California root borer", Prionus californicus, and the "broad-necked root borer", Prionus laticollis.

A 'rookery'? Jul 19, 2022

A 'rookery' is breeding colony of rooks.

Spiny oakworm moths Jul 18, 2022

Anisota stigma, the spiny oakworm moth, is a moth of the family Saturniidae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It is found in North America from Massachusetts and southern Ontario to Florida, west to Minnesota, Kansas and Texas.

Sooty sea hare Jul 15, 2022

Aplysia fasciata, common name the "mottled sea hare", or the "sooty sea hare", is an Atlantic species of sea hare or sea slug, a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk in the family Aplysiidae. This sea hare occurs in the Western Atlantic from New Jersey to Brazil, and in the Eastern Atlantic including the Mediterranean and the West African coast. They have also been sighted along the Atlantic coast of France.

Turkeybeard Jul 14, 2022

Xerophyllum asphodeloides is a North American species of flowering plants in the Melanthiaceae known by the common names turkey beard, eastern turkeybeard, beartongue, grass-leaved helonias, and mountain asphodel. It is native to the eastern United States, where it occurs in the southern Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to Alabama, and also in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

Fossil on the beach Jul 13, 2022

A listener and his young daughter find what might be a fossil on Edisto Beach...

Timber rattlesnake Jul 12, 2022

The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, or banded rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a species of venomous, sometimes highly venomous, pit viper endemic to eastern North America. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous Northeastern United States and is second only to its relatives to the west, the prairie rattlesnake, as the most northerly distributed venomous snake in North America.[8][9] No subspecies are currently recognized.

Monobia wasps Jul 11, 2022

Monobia quadridens, also known as the four-toothed mason wasp, is a species of solitary potter wasp found in North America. It grows to a wingspan of 18 millimetres (0.71 in), and feeds on small caterpillars and pollen. There are two generations per year, with one generation overwintering as pupae. It nests in a variety of cavities including tunnels abandoned by carpenter bees, old nests built by mud daubers, and hollow plant stems.

"Water jewels" Jul 08, 2022

Rudy shares some of his favorite poems.

Longhorn borer beetles Jul 07, 2022

The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), also known as long-horned or longicorns, are a large family of beetles, with over 35,000 species described. Most species are characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body.

Identifying caterpillars Jul 06, 2022

Caterpillars can be difficult to identify because they go through 5 stages of growth. Each stage is called an "instar." As a caterpillar grows, it "molts" 5 times before it becomes a chrysalis.

Eastern Hercules beetles Jul 05, 2022

Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the Eastern United States. The adult's elytra are green, gray or tan, with black markings, and the whole animal, including the male's horns, may reach 60 mm (2.4 in) in length. The larvae feed on decaying wood from various trees.

Barklice Jul 04, 2022

Psocoptera are a paraphyletic group of insects that are commonly known as booklice, barklice or barkflies. The name Psocoptera has been replaced with Psocodea in recent literature, with the inclusion of the former order Phthiraptera into Psocodea (as part of the suborder Troctomorpha).

Mystery bones Jul 01, 2022

A listener finds some bones washed up on Sullvan's Island...

Bee flies Jun 30, 2022

The Bombyliidae are a family of flies. Their common name are bee flies or humbleflies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae generally are parasitoids of other insects.

Scale insects Jun 29, 2022

Scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha. Of dramatically variable appearance and extreme sexual dimorphism, they comprise the infraorder Coccomorpha which is considered a more convenient grouping than the superfamily Coccoidea due to taxonomic uncertainties. Adult females typically have soft bodies and no limbs, and are concealed underneath domed scales, extruding quantities of wax for protection.

Giant stag beetle Jun 28, 2022

Lucanus elaphus, the giant stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae native to eastern North America. They are sometimes kept as pets. Stag beetles are a family of about 1,200 species of beetles in the family Lucanidae, currently classified in four subfamilies.

Diamond back terrapin Jun 27, 2022

The diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the Northeastern and southern United States, and in Bermuda. It belongs to the monotypic genus Malaclemys. It has one of the largest ranges of all turtles in North America, stretching as far south as the Florida Keys and as far north as Cape Cod.

Eastern chipmunks Jun 24, 2022

The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a chipmunk species found in eastern North America. It is the only living member of the chipmunk subgenus Tamias, sometimes recognized as a different genus. The name "chipmunk" comes from an Ojibwe word which translates literally as "one who descends trees headlong." First described by Mark Catesby in his 1743 The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, the chipmunk was eventually classified as Sciurus striatus by Linnaeus, meaning "striped squirrel" in Latin.

Swallow-tailed kites Jun 23, 2022

The swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus) is a pernine raptor which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. It is the only species in the genus Elanoides. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round.

The mark of the pileated woodpeckers Jun 22, 2022

The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large, mostly black woodpecker native to North America. An insectivore, it inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast. It is the largest extant woodpecker species in North America, with the possible exception of the ivory-billed woodpecker, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed be reclassified as extinct. It is also the third largest species of woodpecker in the world, after the great slaty woodpecker and the black woodpecker. "Pileated" refers to the bird's prominent red crest, from the Latin pileatus meaning "capped".

Happy Summer Solstice! Jun 21, 2022

The summer solstice, also known as estival solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky (for areas outside of the tropics) and is the day with the longest period of daylight. Within the Arctic circle (for the northern hemisphere) or Antarctic circle (for the southern hemisphere), there is continuous daylight around the summer solstice.

The call of the green tree frog Jun 20, 2022

The American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus) is a common species of New World tree frog belonging to the family Hylidae. It is a common backyard species, popular as a pet, and is the state amphibian of Georgia and Louisiana.

Magnolia green jumping spider Jun 17, 2022

Lyssomanes viridis, commonly known as the magnolia green jumper, is a species of jumping spider of the genus Lyssomanes, for which it is the type species. The species is native to the United States, being found in much of the Southeastern United States and Texas. It has also been reported from parts of Mexico, with sightings as far south as Guatemala and as far north as Maryland.

Eastern ratsnake Jun 16, 2022

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern ratsnake, is a nonvenomous colubrid species endemic to North America.

Braconid wasps Jun 15, 2022

The Braconidae are a family of parasitoid wasps. After the closely related Ichneumonidae, braconids make up the second-largest family in the order Hymenoptera, with about 17,000 recognized species and many thousands more undescribed. The larvae of most braconids are internal or external primary parasitoids of other insects.

Northern scarlet snake Jun 14, 2022

Cemophora coccinea, commonly known as the scarlet snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern United States.

Armadillos in South Carolina Jun 13, 2022

You can now find 9-banded armadillos in all 46 counties of South Carolina.

A torquoise snake? Jun 10, 2022

Listeners report finding dead snakes that are "torquoise blue." There are no torquoise snakes liviing in South Carolina. However, when a rough green snake dies...

White-marked tussock caterpillar Jun 09, 2022

Orgyia leucostigma, the white-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, extending as far west as Texas, California, and Alberta.

Eastern ratsnake, yellow morph Jun 08, 2022

The yellow morph of the eastern ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis ssp. quadrivittata, is sometimes called the yellow ratsnake or the Florida ratsnake.

Ivory marked borer Jun 07, 2022

Eburia quadrigeminata, the ivory-marked beetle or ivory-marked borer, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adult beetles are 12–25 millimetres (0.47–0.98 in) in length. The life span is 10–40 years.

Commom elderberry Jun 06, 2022

Sambucus canadensis, the American black elderberry, Canada elderberry, or common elderberry, is a species of elderberry native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, south to Bolivia. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry soils, primarily in sunny locations.

Mud turtles Jun 03, 2022

The eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) or common mud turtle[2] is a common species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is endemic to the United States. There are two recognized subspecies.

Eastern Dobsonfly larvae Jun 02, 2022

The eastern dobsonfly, Corydalus cornutus, is a large insect in the Corydalidae family. It is found in eastern North America in regions with fast-flowing streams where its aquatic larvae develop. These are known as hellgrammites and are among the top invertebrate predators in the streams in which they live. They are used by anglers as bait.

Eastern leaf-footed bugs Jun 01, 2022

Leptoglossus phyllopus or Eastern leaf-footed bug is a species of leaf-footed bugs in the same genus as the western conifer seed bug (L. occidentalis. The Eastern leaf-footed bug is found throughout the southern United States, from Florida to California, through Mexico, and as far south as Costa Rica.

Corn snakes May 31, 2022

The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, corn snakes lack functional venom and are harmless. Corn snakes are beneficial to humans by helping to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease. The corn snake is named for the species' regular presence near grain stores, where it preys on mice and rats that eat harvested corn

Phantom crane fly May 30, 2022

Bittacomorpha clavipes, known as the phantom crane fly (though this name can also apply to any member of Ptychopteridae), is a species of fly in the family Ptychopteridae. It is found in the eastern United States west to the Rocky Mountains. It flies upright with its legs spread apart. The female lays hundreds of eggs by dipping its abdomen in the water.

How to watch NatureScene May 27, 2022

You can now watch NatureScene episodes on line.

Sea pansies May 26, 2022

The sea pansy, Renilla reniformis, is a species of colonial cnidarian in the family Renillidae, part of an octocoral subclass of Anthozoa that inhabit an expansive range of environments. It is native to warm continental shelf waters of the Western Hemisphere. It is frequently found washed ashore on North East Florida beaches following northeasterly winds or rough surf conditions. It also can often be found living intertidally completely buried in the sand. Its predator is the striped sea slug, Armina tigrina.

Palmetto weevils May 25, 2022

The palmetto weevil (Rhynchophorus cruentatus) is an insect native to Florida, but has been found as far as southern Texas to the west and South Carolina to the north. It is the largest weevil in North America and the only kind of palm weevil in the continental United States. It infests palms and is considered a pest.

Some words about natural history May 24, 2022

Rudy shares quotes from Thomas Henry Huxley and Charles Dickens.

Tulip trees May 23, 2022

Liriodendron is a genus of two species of characteristically large trees, deciduous over most of their populations, in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). These trees are widely known by the common name tulip tree or tuliptree for their large flowers superficially resembling tulips. It is sometimes referred to as tulip poplar or yellow poplar, and the wood simply as "poplar", although not closely related to the true poplars. Other common names include canoewood, saddle-leaf tree, and white wood.

Eastern hognose snake May 20, 2022

The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platyrhinos), also known as the spreading adder and many other common names, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.

Rose-breasted grosbeak May 19, 2022

The rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), colloquially called "cut-throat" due to its coloration, is a large, seed-eating grosbeak in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). It is primarily a foliage gleaner.[4] Males have black heads, wings, backs, and tails, and a bright rose colored patch on their white breast. Males and females exhibit marked sexual dimorphism.Breeding habitat consists of cool-temperate open deciduous woods throughout much of eastern North America, with migration to tropical America in winter.

A sweet smelling, invasive plant May 18, 2022

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is one of the worst invasive plants in the South. It dominates the shrub layer and often becomes the only shrub underneath trees, especially in streamside areas. But insects and spiders living in fallen leaves and leaf litter were not affected by a privet invasion in Georgia, as a recent study shows.

A western tanager in South Carolina? May 17, 2022

A listener in the Midlands reports an unusual sighting: a western tanager.The western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), other members of its genus and it are classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.

Sparkleberry May 16, 2022

Sparkleberry is in bloom now. Vaccinium arboreum (sparkleberry or farkleberry) is a species of Vaccinium native to the southeastern and south-central United States, from southern Virginia west to southeastern Nebraska, south to Florida and eastern Texas, and north to Illinois.

Eastern Glass Lizard May 12, 2022

This legless lizard is sometime mistaken for a small snake.

Chimney swifts May 11, 2022

The chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) is a bird belonging to the swift family Apodidae. A member of the genus Chaetura, it is closely related to both the Vaux's swift and the Chapman's swift; in the past, the three were sometimes considered to be conspecific. It has no subspecies. The chimney swift is a medium-sized, sooty gray bird with very long, slender wings and very short legs. Like all swifts, it is incapable of perching, and can only cling vertically to surfaces. The chimney swift feeds primarily on flying insects, but also on airborne spiders. It generally mates for life. It builds a bracket nest of twigs and saliva stuck to a vertical surface, which is almost always a human-built structure, typically a chimney.

Red-bellied snake May 10, 2022

The northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) is a nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae, a subspecies of Storeria occipitomaculata. It is sometimes referred to as a fire snake. It is endemic, North America and The Caribbean in some parts in Jamaica, and Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia in the north and south to Florida and Texas.

An alligator on the beach? May 06, 2022

A listener sees an alligator in the water on Folly Beach. That's not a preferred habitat.

Crayfish May 05, 2022

Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters (to which they are related). In some locations, they are also known as crawfish, craydids, crawdaddies, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, rock lobsters, mudbugs, or yabbies.

Eastern phoebes May 04, 2022

The eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine bird. The genus name Sayornis is constructed from the specific part of Charles Lucien Bonaparte's name for Say's phoebe, Muscicapa saya, and Ancient Greek ornis, "bird". Phoebe is an alternative name for the Roman moon-goddess Diana, but it may also have been chosen to imitate the bird's call.

Filament bearer caterpillar May 03, 2022

Nematocampa resistaria, the filament bearer, bordered thorn or horned spanworm moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1856. It is found in North America from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Florida and California.

Snakes are out and about May 02, 2022

With warming weather, snakes are active.

Guineafowl Apr 29, 2022

Guineafowl (/ˈɡɪnifaʊl/; sometimes called "pet speckled hens, "original fow,l or "guinea hens") are birds of the family Numididae in the order Galliformes. They are endemic to Africa and rank among the oldest of the gallinaceous birds. Phylogenetically, they branched off from the core Galliformes after the Cracidae (chachalacas, guans, and curassows) and before the Odontophoridae (New World quail).

Sweetleaf Apr 28, 2022

Symplocos tinctoria (the common sweetleaf, horse-sugar, or yellowwood) is a deciduous or evergreen shrub or tree. It is recognized by pith of twigs chambered; by foliage not notably aromatic when bruised, leaves finely hairy beneath. Shrubs or trees to 17 m tall by 36 cm.

"Winter is past..." Apr 27, 2022

Rudy celebrates spring with some poetic thoughts from Oliver Wendell Holmes and from Tom Hood's Song (O lady, leave thy silken thread...).

Mark Catesby Apr 26, 2022

This the 300th anniversary of Mark Catesby's arrival in the New World.

Fringe tree Apr 25, 2022

Fringetrees (Chionanthus spp.) are small, deciduous ornamental trees. Two species are available, the native white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and the Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus.) The botanical name translates as snow flower, an excellent description of the fluffy, white flowers that cover fringetrees in bloom. White fringetree, also known as Grancy graybeard or old man’s beard, is native throughout South Carolina and the southeastern United States. Chinese fringetree is native to eastern Asia. Both species are adapted to all areas of South Carolina.

Happy Earth Day! Apr 22, 2022

In honor of Earth Day, Rudy shares a portion of the poem by Shelley, The Cloud.

Anemone stinkhorn Apr 21, 2022

Aseroe rubra, commonly known as the anemone stinkhorn, sea anemone fungus and starfish fungus, is a common and widespread basidiomycete fungus recognizable for its foul odour of carrion and its sea anemone shape when mature. Found in gardens on mulch and in grassy areas, it resembles a red star-shaped structure covered in brownish slime on a white stalk. It attracts flies, which spread its spores.

Eastern Ratsnake Apr 20, 2022

Pantherophis alleghaniensis is found in the United States east of the Apalachicola River in Florida, east of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, east of the Appalachian Mountains, north to southeastern New York and western Vermont, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, south to the Florida Keys. In the Florida Panhandle, it readily hybridizes with the gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides).

Cope's gray treefrog Apr 19, 2022

Cope's gray treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis), also called the southern gray treefrog is a species of treefrog found in the United States. It is almost indistinguishable from the gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor), and shares much of its geographic range. Both species are variable in color, mottled gray to gray-green, resembling the bark of trees. These are treefrogs of woodland habitats, though they will sometimes travel into more open areas to reach a breeding pond.

Mystery skull? Apr 18, 2022

A couple walking discover what appears to be a skull...

Southern flying squirrels Apr 15, 2022

The southern flying squirrel or the assapan (Glaucomys volans) is one of three species of the genus Glaucomys and one of three flying squirrel species found in North America. It is found in deciduous and mixed woods in the eastern half of North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida. Disjunct populations of this species have been recorded in the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.Southern flying squirrels have grey brown fur on top with darker flanks, and are a cream color underneath. They have large dark eyes and a flattened tail.

Corn snakes Apr 14, 2022

The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, corn snakes lack functional venom and are harmless. Corn snakes are beneficial to humans by helping to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected