NatureNotes
909 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsNaturalist Rudy Mancke, the late host of SCETV's long-running NatureScene, shared his knowledge of plants and wildlife for nearly 25 years on NatureNotes. These 1-minute snippets offer you a chance to find out about diverse topics having to do with the natural world. From the inner workings of our world's ecosystems to plants & animals unique to South Carolina, you'll learn more about the world around you on NatureNotes.
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Episodes
Eastern glass lizards
June 20, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThe eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) is a species of legless lizard in the family Anguidae, endemic to the Southeastern United States.
Armored mayfly nymphs
June 19, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBBaetisca is a genus of armored mayflies in the family Baetiscidae. There are about 12 described species in Baetisca.
Water snakes are on the move
June 16, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThe eastern cottonmouth is the only venomous water snake in South Carolina. The rest are no danger to humans.
Mississippi kites
June 15, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThe 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
June 14, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThe 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?
June 13, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KB"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
June 12, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBLyssomanes 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
June 09, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBFuligo 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
June 08, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBThe 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
June 07, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBEacles 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
June 06, 2023 04:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBA 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
June 05, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBSesbania 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
June 02, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBThe American painted lady or American lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a butterfly found throughout North America.
The caterpillar and the assassin bug
June 01, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBA 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBThe 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBPapilio 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBCarolina wrens like to nest in corners and cubbies, as a listener found out.
Thoughts about Spring
May 26, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBRudy is thinking of Spring and shares a quote from Tom Hood and one from Emerson.
Cecropia moths
May 25, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBHyalophora 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBXysticus 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBThe 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.
Silky camellia
May 19, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBStewartia 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.
White wicky
May 19, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 952 KBA 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.
Coral bean
May 17, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBErythrina 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KB"How do you know all this stuff?"
Rose-breasted grosbeaks
May 15, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBThe 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBWith some advice from Rudy, a listener has preserved the skin of a copperhead snake.
Ladybird beetles and aphids
May 11, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBLadybird beetles and aphids have a predator/prey relationship.
"I go a-gunning..."
May 10, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBRudy shares some words from poet Sam Walter Foss.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds
May 09, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBThe 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 09:27 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBNorth American azaleas are commonly confused with azaleas of Asian origin, the evergreen azaleas.
Wool sower galls
May 05, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBCallirhytis 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBThe 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThere 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBZebra 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 09:30 - 1 minute - 945 KBThe 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
April 28, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBMelia 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
April 27, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBAseroe 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
April 26, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBToday is the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear plant's meltdown.
Horse sugar and fringe trees are flowering now
April 25, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBTwo of Rudy's favorite plants are now flowering in South Carolina.
Metamorphosis - not always perfect
April 24, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBA listener finds a luna moth that has not metamorphisized perfectly.
Celebrating Earth Day
April 21, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBEarth 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
April 20, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBSteatoda 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
April 19, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBMining 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
April 18, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBDryophytes gratiosus, commonly known as the barking tree frog, is a species of tree frog endemic to the south-eastern United States.
A mystery "skull"?
April 17, 2023 17:17 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBA listener finds what he thinks is a animal's skull. Turns out, it's not a skull at all.
A rememberance
April 14, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBRudy shares a poetic rememberence of a friend and fellow naturalist.
Mole salamanders
April 12, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBTerrestrial 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
April 11, 2023 09:30 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBA listener reports some skeletal remains he found on Dreher Island State Park...