Raffles pitcher plant fluid traps insects like quicksand
Scientists studying Raffles pitcher plants in tropical regions describe how their acidic digestive fluid stretches to trap struggling insects.
Viscous liquid resists insect movement
The funnel-shaped leaves of the vine hold a pool of acidic fluid instead of nectar. This liquid contains long sugar strings that make it thick and resistant to flow. When insects slip into the pool, they cannot escape because the fluid hardens as they struggle.
Ecologist notes unique properties
Laurence Gaume from the French National Center for Scientific Research observed these unusual traits during fieldwork in the early 2000s. She found that the faster bugs wriggle, the more the fluid resists their movement. Researchers are still learning how the plant uses this strange liquid to catch prey.
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