Why do pitcher plants trap insects?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Nitrogen from nutrient-poor soil
Nitrogen from nutrient-poor soil ✓ — Correct! Pitcher plants grow in bogs and wetlands with very acidic, nitrogen-poor soil. They've evolved elaborate traps (modified leaves) to capture insects and digest them for nitrogen and other nutrients. Slippery rims, downward-pointing hairs, and digestive enzymes ensure prey can't escape. Still photosynthesize for energy—insects supplement missing nutrients!
Defense against herbivores — Wrong. Pitcher traps are for obtaining nutrients from insects, not defense. The plant actively lures, traps, and digests insects to supplement poor soil nutrition.
Water storage in pitchers — Wrong. Pitchers aren't for water storage—they contain digestive fluid to break down trapped insects for nutrients like nitrogen unavailable in poor soil.