Re[2]: Slugs and CP
westes (westes@usc.com)
Fri, 17 May 1996 01:02:34 -0800
> Are slugs immune to effects of S. Flava and S. Purpurea? I noted
that the > slug worked his way around the rim of the S. Purpurea
before wandering out, > so apparently he liked something there.
>
Sarracenias have evolved to capture mostly insect prey which are
attracted to extrafloral nectaries around the rim and hood of the
pitchers. Slugs grip surfaces by a different mechanism to spiders,
insects etc and secrete a slime trail such that their progress is
unimpeded by the downward pointing hairs that make the surface
slippery for most insects. The slug would also not be killed as it had
not landed the lower pitcher which is where insects are drowned and
digested.
Hi Martin. To follow up on my last message, my friend the slug is
making a nightly habit of circling the inside lip of my S. Purpurea. To
add insult to injury, the pitchers were filled to the brim with water,
and the slug was actually navigating the circumference of the pitcher
while *submerged*. He had no ill effects at all from this, and he just
circled continuously and eventually exited and went on his way. The
only good news so far is that the slug seems to be coming to this plant
for his nightly drug/sugar fix, not to eat leaves. I haven't noticed
any damage to the pitcher itself (yet).
Another poster mentioned seeing dead slugs in S. Purpurea pitchers. I am
starting to believe that maybe those slugs died of old age. :)
--
Will Estes U.S. Computer
Internet: westes@usc.com P.O. Box 3150
Saratoga, CA 95070-1150
FAX: 408-446-1013