A Look Inside

Down the Gullet!

Before the frost really sets in and the pitchers die off for winter, I took a few shots of the full pitchers from the top. As you can see, my Sarracenia have been feasting on an assortment of wasps, flies, and other winged insects lately.

Another wasp

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I've really been impressed with how fast the pitchers fill up. Even notoriously bad insect catchers like Sarracenia catesbaei and other Sarracenia purpurea hybrids have caught a fair number of insects throughout the summer. Not nearly as many as the flavas and leucophyllas, but quite a few nonetheless.

More Decayed Insects

What's been really interesting is periodically checking to see what insects are most abundant. At the start of fall, it was harvestmen. Then, moths and wasps. Above, you can see the start of the ladybug swarm.

Ladybugs

Don't feel too bad about the ladybugs that are filling up these pitchers. They're not a native species. (The native species has been largely displayed by two Asian species). In the late fall, they swarm over everything, looking for warm places (such as homes) to hibernate in winter. In spring, they'll reemerge in force.

A ladybug on its way to join its friends...

It's sad to note that the tallest mountains I can see now have a dusting of snow atop their peaks. That means snow will soon be touching down here. The short summer of Sarrs is now official over, so expect more updates from inside as the weeks progress.