Most plants rely on photosynthesis for food. Carnivorous plants use insects to provide protein and other nutrients. Unfortunately, these plants are not the most effective way to control mosquitoes. Most use sugars to attract insects, and mosquitoes are drawn to blood and warmth. However, they do catch a few and some carnivorous plants are better mosquito eaters than others. Does this Spark an idea?
Bladderworts
Bladderworts (Utricularia spp.) are aquatic plants that grow around the world except in Antarctica. This branching plant floats on the water and captures prey in bean-shaped bladders. The bladder stays open until a mosquito larvae floats by and triggers the bladder to close. As the bladder closes, it pulls in water and the larvae. Although bladderworts can become invasive, their efficient trapping mechanism makes them one of the best plants to catch small insects like mosquitoes.
Butterwort
Butterworts (Pinguicula spp.) grow on all continents except Australia. They have succulent leaves with small glands across the top that secrete a thick liquid. The wet look is inviting to mosquitoes, which tend to be drawn to moist areas. The mosquito gets stuck in the liquid. The plant is triggered to release more of the sticky liquid as the mosquito struggles. Eventually the mosquito becomes trapped and digested.
Sundew
The many species of sundews (Drosera spp.) grow in moist areas around the world except Antarctica. The sundew traps mosquitoes using a similar strategy to butterworts. However, most sundews not only trap their victims in liquid, but also close the leaf around the insect. This coats the mosquito in even more trapping liquid and enzymes.
Fun Fact
In an about face to the way things should work, there is a mosquito whose larvae must grow inside a pitcher plant. The pitcher-plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii) lays its eggs inside the pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea). The larvae must grow inside the juices of the pitcher plant and may eat some of the prey the pitcher plant captures. A special type of midge and fly also make a nursery out of this pitcher plant.
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