Virtual flytrap?

Peter Cole (carnivor@bunyip.demon.co.uk)
Fri, 06 Sep 1996 01:10:56 GMT

Here's a cutting a friend just gave me from a recent issue of the _Sunday
Times_. I thought it might provide some amusement.

"An environmentally friendly cockroach trap designed by scientists at
Southampton University is to be marketed across the world after the
signing of a $1m (L644,000) licensing agreement with a Los Angeles
company. The idea for the trap was sparked by a study of the
carnivorous pitcher plant. This uses a scent attractive to the
cockroaches to lure them into the trap. Once inside, the insect finds
itself caught on electrostatically charged powder on which it cannot
gain a hold; this powder is on a slope and when the cockroach falls
onto a sticky surface below it cannot get free. The traps will be
manufactured in the United States and Wales."

I had to double check it wasn't April! But I don't think I'll be trading
in my plants just yet ;)

Happy growing,

Peter

snail:Peter Cole,17 Wimmerfield Cr. :mailto:carnivor@bunyip.demon.co.uk
Killay, SWANSEA SA2 7BU, WALES :http://www.angel.co.uk/flytrap/index.htm
vox:+44 1792 205214 :Tissue Culture Kits for sale