NatureNotes

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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