Paul, it was my understanding that the bugs in question would exhibit this
curling-up-and-plopping-into-the-pitcher behavior some time after they
had been crawling around the pitcher, eating nectar. The obvious inference
being that they were somehow getting intoxicated by the nectar. I don't think
the author (Tom, was it you?) was observing this behavior from partially
damaged and recently terrified ants. I find Tom's observations extremely
interesting.
Or maybe I misunderstood the original posting?