Rudy Mancke

The Eastern Hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos, is found from eastern-central Minnesota, and Wisconsin to southern Ontario, Canada and extreme southern New Hampshire, south to southern Florida and west to eastern Texas and western Kansas.

Rudy shares some favorite verses about one of his favorite times of year.

The name witch in witch-hazel has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning "pliant" or "bendable", and is not related to the word witch.

The beetle family Phengodidae is also known as Glowworm Beetles; their larvae are known as glowworms. The females and larvae have bioluminescent organs.

The Contracted Datana, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found from Maine to Florida west to Arkansas and Wisconsin.

A listener reports finding two juvenile snakes, one inside his house. He handled both carefully - which was a very good idea!

Black Rat Snakes, recognizable by the black blotches on their gray skin, are out this time of year. They are non-venomous.

The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) has overall white plumage, a bright red-orange down-curved bill and long legs, and black wing tips that are usually only visible in flight.

The Lovebug (Plecia nearctica) is a species of march fly found in parts of Central America and the southeastern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast. It is also known as the honeymoon fly or double-headed bug. During and after mating, matured pairs remain together, even in flight, for up to several days.

The Nessus sphinx, Amphion floridensis, is a day-flying moth that lives throughout the eastern United States and Canada and occasionally south into Mexico. It is one of the more commonly encountered day-flying moths in the region, easily recognized by the two bright-yellow bands across the abdomen.

This time of year, these horned caterpillars are quite large.

Some listeners find a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar that is about to pupate.

A listener finds some shells on the beach at the Isle of Palms...

This small orbweaver has red markings, but, it is not a problem for people or pets.