A strange partnership

TimV · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:32 PM

Right here in the US we have one of the most unique relationships between a plant and an animal anywhere in the world. Sarracenia purpurea is a plant that survives by eating insects, and Wyeomyia smithii is a species of mosquito that lives no where else on earth than right in the digestive urn of this plant.

As you can see in the photo from one of my specimens, the plant has leaves shaped like urns, and downwards pointing hairs that keep insects which crawl or fly in for a drink of water from coming out again. The insect dies, and is digested. But the relationship of enzymes to water is so high in this plant compared to other Pitcher Plants that it benefits from a certain mosquito.

The mosquito lays it's eggs in the urn, and in it's larval form eats from the dead insects that the plant has killed, concentrating the nutrients in it's waste to a form more readily used by the plant. And the plant naturally is the perfect place for a young mosquito to live; it's not like it has to watch out for fish or anything!

In the two bottom urns, notice the dark spots, which are captured insects. I've had this plant from a seedling many years ago, and have never had to feed it.

LawrenceU · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks, Tim. One of my favourite walking places in in a Long Leaf Pine / Pitcher Plant bog not too far from here.

**KMK** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:47 PM

I take it this is called a 'pitcher plant' to us laymen?

TimV · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:48 PM

Yes, one of 9 species of North American Pitcher Plants.

**KMK** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:50 PM

Do they cut down on the mosquito population or attract more?

LawrenceU · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:52 PM

Tim, I've been told that this variety grow around here, but the particular mosquito does not. Do you know if that is correct?

TimV · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 01:57 PM

Yes, the mosquito is only found in about half the populations of this plant.

Lawrence, are you sure the Pitcher Plant isn't another species down that far south? There are 9 species, and the one I posted is usually in colder areas.

LawrenceU · #8 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:03 PM

Tim,
I'm not sure. I was told that this particular type was here by a Ranger at the Weeks Bay Estuary Preserve. I'll google the name and see if he was spoofing. . .

I'm back. According to Wikipedia it looks like there is a little area in our area:

I guess he was correct.

Upon a little further reading it looks like the ones around here are Sarracenia purpurea ssp venosa var burkii, a sub species. Ah, the joys of taxonomy.

he beholds · #9 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Tim...do you know what kind of plant eats ticks and where I can get me about five acres worth of said plants?

TimV · #10 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:16 PM

No, you have to go to Africa and stand there with a bunch of antelope with your arms stretched out. Then some birds will come along and take care of you. But wear lots of sun screen ;-)

LawrenceU · #11 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:20 PM

Jessi, do y'all have Cattle Egrets up there? They love ticks. If you don't maybe I could trap and send you some. Lovely white birds, too.

he beholds · #12 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:25 PM

I've never seen that bird : (
We are being overrun and I am now afraid of going into my backyard, which is so sad and crippling.

Re4mdant · #13 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Cool partnership, thanks for sharing

LawrenceU · #14 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:35 PM

As much as I don't like it, you may want to apply some Bifenthrin (a Diazinon replacement) to your yard to help control the ticks. A tick or two every now and then is not that big of a deal, but an infestation is another matter. If you do apply a chemical control compound follow the directions to the letter, especially because you have young uns around.

AThornquist · #15 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by he beholds

I've never seen that bird : (
We are being overrun and I am now afraid of going into my backyard, which is so sad and crippling.

Get a bunch of dogs, make them live in the backyard for a couple days to get covered in tics, and then get rid of the dogs...

LawrenceU · #16 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AThornquist

Quote:

Originally Posted by he beholds

I've never seen that bird : (
We are being overrun and I am now afraid of going into my backyard, which is so sad and crippling.

Get a bunch of dogs, make them live in the backyard for a couple days to get covered in tics, and then get rid of the dogs...

he beholds · #17 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

As much as I don't like it, you may want to apply some Bifenthrin (a Diazinon replacement) to your yard to help control the ticks. A tick or two every now and then is not that big of a deal, but an infestation is another matter. If you do apply a chemical control compound follow the directions to the letter, especially because you have young uns around.

First, sorry Tim for all this off-topicness!

I think that's what we're going to have to do. I don't really know how bad it is, but my husband found one on him (not attached) and one attaching on our son (very easy to remove at that point). Then we had friends over a few days later and we walked her through our woods and she got two on her in like the five minutes we were out. And then I found one yesterday.
I have honestly not gone outside except to the car since we found the first ones, so I don't know if we would have found them everyday...

Seb · #18 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by he beholds

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

As much as I don't like it, you may want to apply some Bifenthrin (a Diazinon replacement) to your yard to help control the ticks. A tick or two every now and then is not that big of a deal, but an infestation is another matter. If you do apply a chemical control compound follow the directions to the letter, especially because you have young uns around.

First, sorry Tim for all this off-topicness!

I think that's what we're going to have to do. I don't really know how bad it is, but my husband found one on him (not attached) and one attaching on our son (very easy to remove at that point). Then we had friends over a few days later and we walked her through our woods and she got two on her in like the five minutes we were out. And then I found one yesterday.
I have honestly not gone outside except to the car since we found the first ones, so I don't know if we would have found them everyday...

Guinea birds are good tick eaters and make interesting yard pets.

Guineafowl

My Mom's neighbor has a couple, they're interesting birds that have a few good uses around the yard.

LawrenceU · #19 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb

Quote:

Originally Posted by he beholds

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

As much as I don't like it, you may want to apply some Bifenthrin (a Diazinon replacement) to your yard to help control the ticks. A tick or two every now and then is not that big of a deal, but an infestation is another matter. If you do apply a chemical control compound follow the directions to the letter, especially because you have young uns around.

First, sorry Tim for all this off-topicness!

I think that's what we're going to have to do. I don't really know how bad it is, but my husband found one on him (not attached) and one attaching on our son (very easy to remove at that point). Then we had friends over a few days later and we walked her through our woods and she got two on her in like the five minutes we were out. And then I found one yesterday.
I have honestly not gone outside except to the car since we found the first ones, so I don't know if we would have found them everyday...

Guinea birds are good tick eaters and make interesting yard pets.

Guineafowl

My Mom's neighbor has a couple, they're interesting birds that have a few good uses around the yard.

That is true. And, the are a great perimeter alarm system. Not to bad when cooked over a slow bank of coals for several hours either.

MrMerlin777 · #20 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 03:35 PM

Very cool.

OPC'n · #21 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 05:19 PM

so you would want to cut down that plant if you don't want mosquitos, eh?

Blue Tick · #22 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimV

Right here in the US we have one of the most unique relationships between a plant and an animal anywhere in the world. Sarracenia purpurea is a plant that survives by eating insects, and Wyeomyia smithii is a species of mosquito that lives no where else on earth than right in the digestive urn of this plant.

As you can see in the photo from one of my specimens, the plant has leaves shaped like urns, and downwards pointing hairs that keep insects which crawl or fly in for a drink of water from coming out again. The insect dies, and is digested. But the relationship of enzymes to water is so high in this plant compared to other Pitcher Plants that it benefits from a certain mosquito.

The mosquito lays it's eggs in the urn, and in it's larval form eats from the dead insects that the plant has killed, concentrating the nutrients in it's waste to a form more readily used by the plant. And the plant naturally is the perfect place for a young mosquito to live; it's not like it has to watch out for fish or anything!

In the two bottom urns, notice the dark spots, which are captured insects. I've had this plant from a seedling many years ago, and have never had to feed it.

Incredible Tim!

Beth Ellen Nagle · #23 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 05:25 PM

Amazing plant. I love the colors.

**Southern Presbyterian** · #24 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the cool pic and botany lesson, Tim!

But is anyone else also thinking... "Feed me, Seymour!"?