NatureNotes

A listener spots an Eyed Click Beetle and wonders about the purpose of the false-eye spots.

The Copperhead is more likely to strike when disturbed than any other venoumous snake in the state.

Carolina Wrens often come back to the same area each year to nest.

The Dusky Birch Sawfly is a stingless wasp. As the common name implies, its prefered food plant is the River Birch.

A family finds an object in a tidal pool which one of the children dubs a "mermaid's bracelet." It's actually a tube extending from a Plumed Worm, or Diopatra cuprea, beneath the sand.

A listener finds the nest of a Great Crested Flycather and has a question...

A listener spots an odd looking squirrel in Santee...

The Ichneumon Wasp lays its eggs in the larvae of other insects.

The caterpillar of this moth feeds on lichen.

Owl pellets, like the one a listener found, contain the remains of the animals the owl "recycles."

A listener finds a Black Rat snake making a meal of a squirrel. Rat Snakes are powerful constrictors and feed on small mammals.

A listener finds a beautiful, bell-shaped "flower" in Pickens County and wonders what they are.

The colonial nesting birds are often found on cliff faces in the western U.S. In South Carolina, you will often find them under bridges.

Deer Flies, or Yellow Flies, are out in number this year, especially near water. And, yest, they will "bite"!

Corn Snakes are often mis-identified as venomous and, unfortunately, killed.

A listener finds a mating pair of Pink Striped Oakworm moths.

The neo-tropical migrant breeds in South Carolina, then flies south to tropical climes.

If you find one of these lovely plants, it's best left in place if you want it to thrive.

Today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The nymph of the Eastern Lubber grasshopper is almost black, with a yellow stripe down the back.

If you happen upon a snake with bands of red, yellow, and black that has red and yellow bands touch, the is an Eastern Coral snake. Beware! Otherwise, you may be looking at a "mimic," like the Northern Scarlet snake.

Wilson's Plover is a coastal bird. Killdeer is an Upland Plover that is common all over South Carolina.

A listener spots a  plant in Barbados that is similar to Rattle Bush. The latter was introduced initially in Florida.

This moth is common in South Carolina. It over-winters as a caterpillar and builds its cocoon in the Spring.

The Orchard Orb Weavers have red markings on the belly, but, are much smaller than Brown Widows.

The Red-Bellied Watersnake is common in South Carolina. They are non-venomous.

A listener spots some "crazy" birds at Hunting Beach State Park...

There are two kinds of Mulberry trees in South Carolina. The White Mulberry was introduced. The Red Mulberry is native.

Not fond of Dobson Flies? You won't like its larval form much better.

Listeners report sights of snakes... and of an snake "impersonator."