Cool And Amazing Things

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Spideyman

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
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Just north of Duma Key
DiO'Bolic said:
You have to wonder why a flytrap will close up on a fly but ignore a insect it considers to be a pollinator.
Click to expand...
So how exactly do plants “know” to eat some insects but spare others? In the case of Venus flytraps, there are likely two important mechanisms. Flytraps produce small white or pink flowers supported vertically on a pendulous stalk several centimeters above the gaping traps. This arrangement allows for flying insects to safely obtain nectar, while those insects relegated to the ground are more often in danger’s way.
But many carnivorous plants, including flytraps, also have a brilliant flush of red coloring on the leaves. There’s evidence from sundews to suggest pollinators are not nearly as attracted to the color red as they are to the UV coloration of flowers. Interestingly enough, though, flytraps have been shown to turn red when they lack nitrogen, which is when they need to eat the most, meaning the insects that serve as a food source might be attracted to the color red, unlike those insects that strictly visit the flowers.
The problem is, there’s virtually no empirical data supporting either of these hypotheses in flytraps, meaning scientists have their work cut out for them. For now, the secret behind flytraps’ refined palates remains a pleasant mystery.
 
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Wayoftheredpanda

Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
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Spideyman said:
So how exactly do plants “know” to eat some insects but spare others? In the case of Venus flytraps, there are likely two important mechanisms. Flytraps produce small white or pink flowers supported vertically on a pendulous stalk several centimeters above the gaping traps. This arrangement allows for flying insects to safely obtain nectar, while those insects relegated to the ground are more often in danger’s way.
But many carnivorous plants, including flytraps, also have a brilliant flush of red coloring on the leaves. There’s evidence from sundews to suggest pollinators are not nearly as attracted to the color red as they are to the UV coloration of flowers. Interestingly enough, though, flytraps have been shown to turn red when they lack nitrogen, which is when they need to eat the most, meaning the insects that serve as a food source might be attracted to the color red, unlike those insects that strictly visit the flowers.
The problem is, there’s virtually no empirical data supporting either of these hypotheses in flytraps, meaning scientists have their work cut out for them. For now, the secret behind flytraps’ refined palates remains a pleasant mystery.
Click to expand...
Interesting
 
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DiO'Bolic

DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
129,998
Poconos, PA
Spideyman said:
So how exactly do plants “know” to eat some insects but spare others? In the case of Venus flytraps, there are likely two important mechanisms. Flytraps produce small white or pink flowers supported vertically on a pendulous stalk several centimeters above the gaping traps. This arrangement allows for flying insects to safely obtain nectar, while those insects relegated to the ground are more often in danger’s way.
But many carnivorous plants, including flytraps, also have a brilliant flush of red coloring on the leaves. There’s evidence from sundews to suggest pollinators are not nearly as attracted to the color red as they are to the UV coloration of flowers. Interestingly enough, though, flytraps have been shown to turn red when they lack nitrogen, which is when they need to eat the most, meaning the insects that serve as a food source might be attracted to the color red, unlike those insects that strictly visit the flowers.
The problem is, there’s virtually no empirical data supporting either of these hypotheses in flytraps, meaning scientists have their work cut out for them. For now, the secret behind flytraps’ refined palates remains a pleasant mystery.
Click to expand...
Thanks. So from reading that we still can completely rule out the fact that it might be the work of Aliens. :)
 
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Wayoftheredpanda

Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
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DiO'Bolic said:
Thanks. So from reading that we still can completely rule out the fact that it might be the work of Aliens. :)
Click to expand...
Since humans can’t imagine completely new things and only put together things they already know, it’s possible we’ve already seen aliens but our mind just subverts them out due to the fact we can’t comprehend it. This is why Lovecraft was so effective in his writing and why cosmic horror is hard to do on-screen.
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
DiO'Bolic said:
Not so fast.

Your honor, the film was an nature educational piece any educator can obtain, royalty free. And in regards to the Pitcher Plant (or as we call it at the home improvement center... The Little Pot of Horrors), if I sell a bucket and someone falls in it, is it not the numbskull's fault who fell into it?

And I address the jury… Is this simply not just some fancy nail polish and not a depiction of the glorification of murder? I let you decide.

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Click to expand...
I Mason'ed you. Did you not see that I Mason'ed you?

Red herrings, all of it.
 
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