Hello young learners!
Welcome to Kiki’s Knowledge Corner’s newest episode. Did you know that there are plants that eat insects? Scientists have identified about 630 different species of carnivorous plants. That’s a lot, right?
So today, we are going to explore the world of carnivorous plants.
Let’s go!
Why do some plants eat insects?
Before the scientist Charles Darwin wrote his books Insectivorous Plants and The Power of Movement in Plants, many people didn’t believe that plants could kill animals.
These plants can grow in poor soil that has few nutrients. Carnivorous plants do photosynthesis and make food from sunlight. However, they get most of their nutrients from catching and eating insects.
Plants with a carnivorous diet seek animals to capture and eat them to get their hands on the nutrition those animals provide. As they usually catch insects, they are often called insectivorous plants.
How do these carnivorous plants trap insects?
Carnivorous plants use colour, smell, or nectar to attract their prey. The insects fly to them, seeking delicious food but get caught in the trap.
Carnivorous plants have odd shapes, sticky surfaces, or the ability to move quickly to catch their prey.
Even though they look and work very differently, all traps are made from leaves or parts of leaves. Most insect-eating plants produce digestive enzymes that make insect soup. The others make good homes for bacteria that live with them and help them break down their food.
What are some popular plants that feed on insects?
Venus Flytrap, Pitcher Plant, Cobra Lily, Butterwort, and Monkey Cup are some of the most popular carnivorous plants.
Hope this article helped you understand why and how some plants eat insects. There is little doubt that these carnivorous plants cause no danger to humans in any way. Unless you’re the size of a little bug, carnivorous plants won’t harm you.
Have you ever seen a carnivorous plant in action? How did it make you feel? If not, would you like to see one? Let us know in the comments below.
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Comments
Vishag
December 10, 2022
I want to see a cobra lily
Eku
December 8, 2022
Yes, I have seen one of these plant in Himachal Pradesh.
Carnivorous
December 8, 2022
I have never seen such plants.I’m class 1.thank you
Hel
December 8, 2022
I want to see a carnivorous plant. 😃😃😇
YEESHU
December 7, 2022
I have never seen such plants. I’m class 1.
Thank you.
Mantavya
December 7, 2022
Yes I do wanna see plants eating insects live…. Plz share some video if possible.
Thank you.
Sanvi
December 6, 2022
I learn something from this
Aarti
December 3, 2022
Very beautiful aap on class