Re: Mosquito Problems (Part II)

Michael Livingston (mikel@pcnet.com)
Fri, 20 Jan 95 20:09:30 PST

>While we're on the subject of mosquitoes, I know that several
>varieties of Sarracenia sometimes have mosquito larvae in their
>pitchers. I had heard/read somewhere that these were a non-biting
>species of mosquito, but, much as I would like to, I'm reluctant to
>add them to my collection until I was sure.
>Anyone know anything about this?

I just watched a PBS home video called 'Death Trap', a _Nature_ episode
devoted to CPs, that had an excellent segment on your Sarracenia and
mosquitos. It did not say whether or not the mosquitos enjoyed humans. I
did get the impression that the plant and mosquitos have a symbiotic
relationship, the mosquito larvae helping crack open captured insects and
providing nice fertilizer, the plant providing excellent safety. Do the
Sarracenia require the mosquito larvae in their pitchers to do well? Or did
it just work out well for the mosquitos?

M