False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the leaf of a Cape sundew, Drosera capensis, showing a fly (family Psilidae) which has fallen victim to t

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the leaf of a Cape sundew, Drosera capensis, showing a fly (family Psilidae) which has fallen victim to the insectivorous appetite of the plant. The sundew ensnares its victim by means of tentacles capped by globular sticky glands (red), which simultaneously attract the insect to the plant & hold it fast. The fly's struggles stimulate the tentacles, which slowly close in & clasp the prey. Enzymes are secreted to digest it. This mechanism has evolved to supplement the diet of the sundew, which grows in mineral-deficient uplands & bogs. Nitrogen in particular is obtained. Magnification: x10 at size. Reference: MICROCOSMOS, figure , page 76.

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Size: 3856px × 5077px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: botany, capensis, carnivorous, drosera, fly, insectivorous, nature, plant, plants, psilid, psilidae, sem, sundew