Catopsis berteroniana

Fernando Rivadavia Lopes (ferndriv@cat.cce.usp.br)
Thu, 15 Jun 1995 20:01:58 -0300 (EST)


> Fernando, you mentioned an insect-confusing 'trick of the light'
> observed in Catopsis - do you know any details of this? It sounds
> rather curious...


Let me translate directly from a fantastic book on Brazilian
bromeliads in the wild which recently came out:


....."Their (Catopsis beteroniana's) leaves......are covered by a white,
waxy layer, which apparently is very efficient in reflecting the sun's
ultraviolet rays. For the flying insects, which in the forest orient
themselves by sunlight, the light reflection of the leaves of this
bromeliad causes confusion. The insects interpret the reflected light as a
way to escape through the thick vegetation. They colide with the plant.
The shape of the rosette bounces them directly into the bottom of the
tank. Trying to escape, they attempt to climb the leaves; but the
inclination of these, together with the wax which easily releases itself
at the slightest touch, impedes the insects from escaping.".....

The authors go on to mention that these plants usually contain a
considerably larger amount of insects in their tanks, when comparing to
other bromeliad species growing in the same habitats and that they could
be called proto-carnivorous plants.

FERNANDO RIVADAVIA
Sao Paulo, Brasil