Re: VFT death via Sow bugs
writserv@mi.net
Tue, 26 Mar 1996 06:39:44 -0400
>>As a reptile and amphibian keeper, I've had occassion to utilize all sorts
>of
>>crawlies for frog-food; early on I learned that sowbugs have a toxic
>compound
>>that makes them distasteful to almost all animals ( I believe it is a
>>cyanide-based compound but I could find no references in my library - all my
>>insect books don't include isopods )
>>I think that was the cause of the VFT necrosis and die-back. Perhaps other
>>growers have similar experiences?
>>
>>Dravid Gray,
>
In my experience and that of my five foot N. alata and various VFTs that I
can't kill with a hammer, "sowbugs" are the breakfast of champions in the
spring. They make a good start when other prey are scarce. Never a harm to
any of my plants that have been hand fed these critters.
Rand Nicholson (writserv@mi.net)
Saint John, NB
Canada