Close-Up Footage of Venus Flytraps Catching Flies

Occurred on June 7, 2013 / Dohr, Germany

Info from Licensor: "I am Lothar Lenz, a nature photographer with heart and soul, and I am lucky enough to live in a small cul-de-sac village in the Eifel - surrounded by fields, forests and stream valleys, just a stone's throw from the Moselle valley. Here I can experience nature in all its diversity and observe some of the most fascinating animals right on my doorstep: Black storks, wildcats and eagle owls are my permanent neighbors. In the summer, my garden is full of hornets and wasps, which I capture with my camera, whether in impressive close-ups or exciting video sequences. This closeness to nature inspires me every day and drives me to capture the beauty and uniqueness of our environment in my photographs. My desire is to inspire and motivate others to get involved in protecting this wonderful world - be it in distant regions or right on their own doorstep.

At some point, I became aware of carnivorous plants and found them fascinating. There is a bog near us where the round-leaved sundew lives. I often observed it when I was young. Many of these plant species can also be bought in plant shops. This gave me the idea of looking at other species and capturing them in time-lapse shots.

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most iconic carnivorous plants, renowned for its highly specialized trapping mechanism. Its hunting strategy combines speed, precision, and efficiency, perfectly adapted to its nutrient-poor habitat.
The trap consists of modified leaves with two opposing lobes, lined with long, tooth-like projections at the edges. These lobes are equipped with tiny hairs called trigger hairs, which act as sensors. The inner surface of the trap is often reddish in color and coated with a sweet secretion that attracts insects.

The process begins when an insect lands on the trap and touches one of the trigger hairs. For the trap to close, however, at least two touches must occur within about 20 seconds. This double-trigger mechanism prevents the trap from closing unnecessarily, such as from falling raindrops or debris. It ensures that the plant expends energy only when actual prey is present.

Once the double trigger is activated, the trap snaps shut in a fraction of a second. This rapid movement is made possible by a combination of elastic tension in the lobes and a swift change in cell structure triggered by the touch. When the trap closes, the tooth-like projections interlock, forming a cage that prevents the prey from escaping.

Over the next few minutes, the trap tightens further, pressing the lobes together to completely enclose the prey. At this stage, the digestion process begins. Gland cells on the inner surface of the trap secrete digestive enzymes that slowly break down the prey. The Venus flytrap absorbs the released nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are scarce in its native, nutrient-poor soils.
The digestion process typically takes five to twelve days, depending on the size of the prey. Afterward, the trap reopens, and the indigestible remains, such as the exoskeleton or wings, are left behind. These remnants are eventually removed by wind, rain, or by falling out naturally.

The Venus flytrap is a remarkable example of evolutionary adaptation among carnivorous plants. Its snap-trap mechanism and targeted digestion highlight its efficiency and precision, making it one of the most extraordinary species in the plant kingdom."