Question

Outside view of 3 pitc  

Split open   Hello!

I recently planted a psittacina in my bog. It was doing fine for a couple weeks but recently noticed traps starting to die...but didn't look like traps normally do when they die.

I cut one off and the trap disintegrated in my hands. It was very delicate! Out of it came pouring what looked like tiny little balls of sawdust. Very bizarre. I would compare to the contents of a spider's egg sack after all the spiders have hatched...but also some unhatched eggs still in there too.

What is this that is using my pitchers as a brooding chamber??? Not the holes at the top of the pitcher where the suspect ate its way in or out.

Thank you for your ever appreciated insight and wisdom.


PS. I watched your video on pest control posted in response to a question on earwigs eating flytraps and treated my all my plants with the rose and flower insecticide last night. Something is always eating the top off my new pitchers or chewing them in half!

Answer
Hi Trace,

It looks like you had some kind of moth lay an egg in the pitchers.  The little sawdust balls are the castings from the caterpillar.  The papery texture was from the caterpillar eating the lining of the pitcher leaf.  When it was old enough it ate it's way out.  This is relatively common, and even more common if you live near any Sarracenia habitat.  Just one of the natural pests they have.  A systemic like the Bayer Rose and Flower would prevent this if it becomes a problem as would B.T. spray if you want an organic.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com