Date: Mon, 2 Jun 1997 12:35:58 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary <garko@sfsu.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2162$foo@default> Subject: Pollenless VFT flowers & Earwigs
Hi Everyone--
I have a VFT that is now in full bloom. It has the irritating habit of
flowering with sterile anthers. Is this common among the clones? This
particular individual, however, has the rather pleasing habit of sprouting
side shoots. I've counted at least a DOZEN new growth points!
BTW, the other night, I witnessed an earwig munching pollen off an
adjacent VFT's flowers. They mostly forage at night. I've since
hand-pollinated the moment the anthers release their pollen during the day
so the little buggers won't devour this precious commodity. Luckily,
earwigs can't resist VFT nectar. I've seen them slurping it up, even as
the trap seals shut around them.
While I'm on the topic of earwigs, I've also witnessed their plundering of
half-full S. rubras. If the pitcher tube is new, chances are, if an
earwig falls in head first, it's as good as trapped. However, if the tube
has the narrowing portion full, an earwig can flex its body, righting
itself, so that its head faces north. It then uses its modified
ovipositor/pincer as a lever, inching its way up to the nectary zone,
where it will feast until its had its fill. It'll then pop itself out and
move to the next pitcher. This strategy, however, doesn't seem to work
well with the wider throated S. flava. Mine are full of decaying earwigs.
Gary
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 17:31:03 PST