S Krelbourn Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 (edited) Why do leucos have their largest pitchers at the end of the season when there are no insects to be had? Seems counterintuitive. Nature hates waste. Any suggestions? Edited November 19, 2016 by S Krelbourn Correction / brain failure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ada Posted November 19, 2016 Report Share Posted November 19, 2016 There are plenty of bugs where they grow naturally,they often are full to the brim in a couple of days and the bugs can crawl out of the top. nature doesn't waste stuff,just recycles it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatter Posted November 19, 2016 Report Share Posted November 19, 2016 larger pitchers more nutrients to absorb to last through winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted November 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2016 Thanks, so I suppose they're exploiting the later part of the season whilst flavas make their large pitchers early to make the most of the early season insects. It just made me wonder when I was looking into my empty autumn pitchers and wondering why they bother at this part of the season, it's easy to forget you're in Yorkshire and not the Southern States... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 One theory is that the larger moon during the autumn equinox and the longer nights illuminates the white leaves and makes them attractive to moths etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Alexis, your theory has errors because others autumn species, for example S.alata, ruba, they not have white pitchers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Good point. I wonder how the pitchers appear under UV light and whether there are any differences between the two crops of pitchers? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpbobby Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 My opinion is evolution....I believe the leuco's have this trait because it benefits them in regards to where they live. Perhaps the explanation as to why other sarracenia do not have the same traits is they evolved differently or never had/spread the mutation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.