Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 17:15:41 -0400 From: Rand Nicholson <writserv@nbnet.nb.ca> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg214$foo@default> Subject: Re: Mechanical vs Chemical stimuli - was VFT & Dried flies
>In regards to the question about why a VFT would reject a dried fly, Rand
>(I think) replied that wetting the fly to get its "juices" up would help,
>whereas John suggested that VFTs require movement to get the VFT to
>commence digestion.
Nope!
I suggested that the trap would not form a seal unless there was movement
in the trap. I do not think that something has to be wet, or have juices,
for the trap to close and "lock".
>This brings up the question of whether or not the feeding response of a
>VFT is triggered by a mechanical or chemical stimulus. Clearly the
>trigger for the trap to close is mechanical (under normal circumstances)
>but I have wondered if mechanical stimulus was relevant to trigger the
>digestive process.
Yes, it is. "Trigger hairs". The VFT operates biomechanically, according to
my information.
Kind Regards,
Rand
Rand Nicholson <writserv@nbnet.nb.ca>
New Brunswick
The Great White Frozen North
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