Re: Sarracenia Smells

bertozzi.terry@wpo.pi.sa.gov.au
Fri, 02 Jun 1995 08:27:34 +0930

>Finally, a comment on rotten Sarracenia smells. I have found
>_S.flava_ in the field with tremendously strong rotting
>smells---easily detected many meters away. When I looked
>closely into one (holding my breath) I was fascinated to find
>the contents roiling with maggots. The smell was such that
>I did not wish to investigate further, however in hindsight I
>wish I had.

I have observed the same thing in my greenhouse. It seems that
when they catch a lot of flies quickly there is not enough
pitcher fluid to cover the insects so either:

1. The flies lay some eggs in other insect remains in the pitchers
before they die or

2. The eggs may be mature enough to develop in the fly after it dies.

Any entomologist like to comment?

Cheers
Terry