Why Do Carnivorous Plants Eat Insects?

Sundew plants eat insects to grow and survive.

Insects play an important part in the growth of carnivorous plants. Without insects, a carnivorous plant cannot grow and survive in its habitat. Insects provide the nutrients the plants need.

Habitat

Carnivorous plants live in wetland areas such as swamps and bogs. Because the soil conditions are poor and have no nutrients, the plants need a way to get the nutrients needed to grow. Other plants that grow in soils rich in nutrients with some sun get their nutrients and energy from the soil, which is not possible for carnivorous plants, which need to eat insects for nutrients.

Trapping

Carnivorous plants trap insects with passive, active or semi-active traps. Once the insect is trapped, the digestive enzymes help the plant digest the insect and absorb the nutrients from the insect.

Houseplants

Carnivorous plants can be grown as houseplants. The growing medium consist of peat moss, course sand and perlite to mimic the poor soil conditions of the plant's natural habitat and retain water to keep the soil wet as it is in bogs and swamps. Plants cannot be fertilized. Flies or other insects should be common around the plant or it will not survive. You can catch insects and introduce them to the plant, or insects can be found at local pet stores.

References

• International Carnivorous Plant Society
• Botanical Society of America: Carnivorous Plants/Insectivorous Plants