Larvae in pitcher plant?

Philip Semanchuk (Philip.Semanchuk@lambada.oit.unc.edu)
Tue, 8 Nov 94 17:12:15 EST

I was lucky enough to spend a good portion of Sunday in
the Green Swamp here in North Carolina looking at pitcher
plants, Venus' Flytraps and sundews. I saw at least 2 species
of Sarracenia. My fascination with these plants far outstrips
my education so I can't say much else specific about them.
I was taking a close-up photo of a mature
Sarracenia (of the short, red, wide variety) when I noticed that there
were larvae of some sort (mosquito, I think) swimming around in
the pitcher. The plant didn't appear to be in any distress, in fact
it was one of the healthiest Sarr. that I saw. I was hoping
someone could tell me how mosquito larvae (or anything else) could
survive a pitcher plant's pitcher. I considered that the plants
digestive juices had maybe become diluted by rain, but I don't
think it has rained there in a week or so.

Thanks,
Phil