Re: What do D. Capensis seeds look like/VFT question

writserv@mi.net
Tue, 24 Oct 1995 18:17:33 -0300

>Bonz suggested that some little critter is touching the hairs and
>setting them off, but I don't think so. I have looked very carefully
>and couldn't find anything. My vft is healthy, with no problems. I
>have only fed it one bug in the last 2 months, but that shouldn't cause
>the closing of my traps! Is this a indication of winter dormancy?

I'd go with the Bonz. Fungus Gnats are _just_ the right size to trigger the
hairs in a VFT without always leaving any appreciable traces if captured.
They are annoyingly tiny also. You may not notice them. There are other
critters just as innocuous.

A VFT does not really need to go into what is considered full dormancy. In
winter, with low temperatures and less watering, it just likes to sit
there. I have found that a healthy, rested trap will work anytime a bug
cares to try it.

Rand Nicholson (writserv@mi.net)