Sarracenia & insects

From: Steven Stewart (steven.stewart@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Sat Sep 09 2000 - 06:07:41 PDT


Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 09:07:41 -0400
From: "Steven Stewart" <steven.stewart@worldnet.att.net>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg2755$foo@default>
Subject:  Sarracenia & insects

Hello list,
Here in Sanford, Florida, we have what are commonly called lovebugs, Order
Diptera, Plecia nearctica. These small insects fill our Sarracenia so
quickly in their one or two week spring and fall breeding seasons we must
put nylon netting over our plants to prevent all species but S. purpurea and
S. psittacina from burning do to overload. One of our uncovered three foot
or 1 meter tall Sarr. leucophylla with more than 12 pitchers is completely
full to the top in less than a week! The only way to prevent burning, is to
spray a stream of water into the traps while the plant is on it's side. This
overload doesn't seem to hurt the plant other than burning all of the leaves
before winter dormancy. Not a good thing when trying to make a show of
beautiful fall pitchers, that will last for several more months if cleaned.
Drosera filiformis var. tracyi seem to handle these insects without any ill
effect.
Take care,
Steven Stewart
Sanford, Florida USA



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