Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 12:24:17 +0930 From: Kevin Cook <K.Cook@bom.gov.au> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2835$foo@default> Subject: Carnivorous plant eating insects
Due to the movement of the sun, I've moved some nepenthes to the back garden.
Unfortunately, this has coincided with an increase in grasshopper/locust
(is there any difference?) numbers.
I was horrified this morning to find a N. veitchii hybrid cutting
substantially chewed away and big bites taken out of a N. ampullaria.
I'm sure it was done by the locusts.
Interestingly, they only attack certain types of Nepenthes. I've noticed
they eat the ones that have the furry growing tips. It's speculation but I
suppose that other Nepenthes have poisons or a bad taste which deters
insect attacks, whereas the veitchii hybirds don't have these poisons and
so need the fur on the growing tip as a physical deterrent.
Last year, a giant locust (at least 12 cm) flew on to my balcony and within
seconds demolished half a large leaf of an N. ampullaria. I ran inside,
fetched a large screwdriver and hit the ugly thing hard on its head with
the metal end. This knocked it to the ground, but it didn't even looked
stunned. It was then that my ancestral memory/primal instincts kicked in
and I became afraid (anyone who's seen the Quartermass Project would know
what I mean. To Davidogray, if you're into 50s 60s horror, this one is
tops) and I had to get a broom and shoo it off.
Anyway, I am outraged at the latest attacks and I have determined that
insects everywhere will pay for this.
Does anyone know any good grasshopper/locust repellents? I'd rather not
use chemicals on my plants, but I will consider this.
Regards
Kevin Cook
Darwin
Australia
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