365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Fatally Attracted
Day 281: After a busy June and early July, I finally got out in the kayak today and witnessed first-hand the capture of several blue damselflies by the Sundews of Lake St. Clair. I had wondered how large an insect they might be able to trap with those sticky little hairs, but I never suspected the degree of efficiency I observed here. Almost as soon as a damsel alighted, its feet became ensnared. As it struggled to free itself, its wings and tail were trapped by adjacent Drosera pads, and the enzymes started their work. It only took a few minutes for the insect's activity to cease as it began to be digested. Abundant evidence of prior meals remained among the hungry foliage, proof that those dainty little Sundews can take on a hefty bug despite their size. More on Drosera tomorrow!
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