Dionaea’s trap foiled

Dionaea are carnivorous plants that pose a formidable threat to insects that venture onto their foliage. The speed at which the traps snap shut leaves insects virtually no chance of escape.

But they are not always completely helpless in the face of these green predators. You may well have seen, with a touch of disappointment, traps damaged by insects that haven’t had their final say!

Upon closer inspection, it turns out that the trap is indeed empty. The prey, probably a wasp, skilfully slashed the lobe with its last ounce of strength, despite the intense pressure it was under. This time, it’s quite subtle, but we’ve seen traps completely ravaged after a capture.

Sarracenias are particularly prone to this sort of escape, which can ruin the structure of an entire trap. It’s no big deal for the plant itself, but it’s a nuisance for growers!