Question
I work in a genetics lab in southeast Texas that works with Drosophila Mealanogaster as its model organism. As you may guess, since these guys are so small and so numerous, the escape quiet often. I was looking through much of the care and instructions on cobraplant.com for several of the of the plants there and it seems to me that the plants that fair the best with numerous insects also need to be outside. I was wondering if there were any variants that can deal with room temperature, north window lighting and a numerous amount of insects. Furthermore, if you do have any recommendations, are there any known pheromones that would interact with the reproductive cycle of insects in the direct vicinity of the plant. I don't think a carnivorous plant would decrease the amount of escaped flies that drastically, but I do think it would be interesting t ohave one in the lab.
Thank you

Answer
Hi Kyrubas,

Your best candidates for your application would be Drosera adelae (Lance-leaf sundew) and Mexican Butterworts.  They are the only shade tolerant carnivorous plants we grow, and they do catch fruit flies.  Here's a link:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_15&products_id=11...  Also:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_20&products_id=99...

I can't help you with the pheromones.  I've seen pheromone traps for other kinds of insects, but not fruit flies.


Good Growing!

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