Spider stalking prey at the entrance to a pitcher of Nepenthes madagascanensis,the carnivorous pitcher plant. The pitcher (up to 30cm high) is an elaborate extension of the midrib of the leaf,which forms an insect trap. Its bright colours (often red) & the scent of nectar attract insects. The lid,closed during early development,opens at an angle to prevent rain filling the urn. Insects fall into the pitcher & drown in the sugary liquid produced by the plant & which contains digestive enzymes. Their digested bodies provide nitrogen compounds & proteins to the plant,which are absent from the poor soils they grow in | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Nuridsany, Claude / Perennou, Maria |
Bildgröße: | 2480 px × 3717 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: |
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