Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 01:56:44 +0800 From: "Phill Mann" <philmann@altu.net.au> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg401$foo@default> Subject: Trapping of insects.
> While seeing Pinguicula macroceras var. nortensis in its natural
>sites up in Northern California I observed something which at first had
>me very curios. It seemed impossible that this
>plant could capture such sized insects which would seem to have no
>trouble in struggling free. Many plants had housefly sized flying
>insects
>and a few even had great big dragon flies! Funny thing though, when I
sprinkle
>live fruitflies on my butterworts here at home they nearly always get
>free from the plants and have no trouble doing so. So then, how can we
>explain the large size of the insects which are captured in nature?
Hi
One point many seem to be missing with this subject is the viscosity of the
sticky fluid in nature.
As with the different Drosera here in West Australia in nature the fluid is
far more viscous than any plants grown in cultivation with extra humidity.
In the cultivated versions of any species the fluid will be "watered down"
compared to in situ and this would allow for capture of larger insect.
Plants grown in terrariums with very high humidity compared to nature
would be inefficient in prey capture due to the thin fluid.
Cheers
Phill Mann
P.O. Box 193
Harvey, 6220
Western Australia
philmann@geo.net.au
http://geo.net.au/~philmann
"Light travels faster than sound"
"That's why some people appear bright until they
open their mouths"
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