Fly trapped in sundew. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly trapped on a leaf of Cape sundew (Drosera capensis). Sundew ensnares its p

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Fly trapped in sundew. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly trapped on a leaf of Cape sundew (Drosera capensis). Sundew ensnares its prey by means of tentacles (purple) topped with globular sticky glands (red). Glue strands (lower left & right) simultaneously attract and hold the insect fast. Subsequent struggle stimulates the tentacles, which slowly move in, entangling the insect. Enzymes are secreted to digest the insect's body. This mechanism has evolved to supplement the diet of the sundew, which grows in mineral-deficient environments such as uplands and bogs. Magnification: x30 when printed 10cm wide.

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Size: 5000px × 3512px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biology, botanical, botany, cape, capensis, carnivore, carnivorous, caught, coloured, drosera, fly, horizontal, insect, insect-eating, insectivore, insectivorous, nature, plant, plants, prey, psilid, psilidae, sem, sundew, trap, trapped, zoological, zoology