We don't have such plants here by us, so on my last visit to the flower center, I bought one of these little wonders for my home.
At first, it was interesting to see how it hunts annoying flies but yesterday I witnessed a scene less pleasant; the fight of a little caterpillar for its life, with the Venus flytrap.
The caterpillar probably came from the sunflower bouquet, next to the Venus.
I was watching its careful sliding over the dangerous trap foliage of the Venus, with great skill, without touching the plant's sensible trigger hairs and I even took my camera, when it made a slip.
In one single second the trap was closed and the head and a part of the caterpillar were captive in the deadly arms of the Venus.
The little caterpillar was fighting for its life, tearing the leave apart, with the rest of its hanging body and trying to pull his head out.At this moment I couldn't decide what to do; to let the plant feed of to help the caterpillar, anyway I wouldn't know how to help. So I decided to let nature do what it has to do and leave them alone.
Still I turned my had back once more, while living and see a miracle. The little guy freed itself and was trying to escape through the same minefield.
Now, it was the right moment to help him. I lifted it up with the help of a toothpick and put it out, in the grass.Visibly damaged, with a few lost legs, as you can see in the above picture, I hope it will survive and live its short life without more incidents.
Visit Macro Flowers Saturday, Camera Critters and Scenic Sunday for many interesting photos.
14 comments:
Fascinating and not entirely pleasant. I don't think that Venus flytraps would grow in our extremely dry air, but I've always wanted one. That first photo makes it look like something out of a monster movie.
Wow! you really captured the natural process of nature!
OMG, Maia first what a fantastic progression capture with your camera. The shots are simply amazing but I wouldn't like to witness that myself. I'm glad he is now free. Great post, Maia.
Wow what a dramatic story. I hope the little critter lives to be a butterfly one day.
Wow, that was an amazing life and death battle taking place right in your own home. You took some great photographs to illustrate the event. I'm glad the catepillar escaped with your help.
I have had a flytrap for a few years now. I leave it outside all year long and love watching it do battle with insects and spiders. Hours of entertainment!
Wow! An amazing story of survival! Clearly the Venus Flytrap will try anyhthing that crosses the threshold! Great photos of the caterpillar's heroic journey!
That was quite an adventure for the caterpillar!
First of all Maia... that a great looking Venus Flytrap... and you photo essay is also neat! L
I've never seen a caterpillar ever on a venus flytrap before. Great pictures to illustrate the saga Maia and I'm so glad that he escaped.
Wow! What a great story! And I hope the caterpillar makes it, after his brush with death! I wonder if that is how the people photographing lions feel about the little gazelles...
Schitterend gefotografeerd!!!
Mooi en gelijkertijd treurig om te zien.
Zo doet inderdaad de natuur zijn werk.
Echt heel mooi.
Lovely greeting,
Joke.
:( blogspot is not nice this week
:(
Great photos, but I feel sad for that little guy.
These venus flytraps, are so beautiful. They are natives of my homeland.
As for the North Borneo Orchid, I will have to ask my sister if she knows, she is a professor of plants in Sarawak. I have forgotten.
This I know, the native born plants live a long time, the hybrids not as long.
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