I also question the logic of the corelation made between photosynthesis
and insect trapping. Photosynthesis wil not provide the plant with
nitrogen, which is essentially what the insects provide in the form of
protein, but 'only' fixes carbon into sugars for further use in their
metabolism. Thus, the plant's producing more pitchers in a darker
environment will not make up for lost photosynthetic activity. As to the
reason for increased pitcher production in the shade, a possibility is
that in such an environment there is a certain balance between humidity and
light intensity necessary for both optimum pitcher production and
photosynthesis, respectively. With low humidity (l.h.)/high light
intensity (h.i.) pitcher formation is not favored, h.h/l.i. it is
favored.
Ben
benjinsl@astro.ocis.temple.edu