More Creatures from the Little Bog of Horrors

In Explore October 6, 2010, #196.

This is the White Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia leucophylla, from the same floating bog described in the previous post. These are not as common there as the Yellow or Purple Pitchers, but are very striking in their coloration. What we have found remarkable is presence of so many spiders on these plants. Not only do the plants themselves capture and digest insects, but there are spiders, in this case a Crab Spider, lurking in the pitchers as well, ready to grab unsuspecting insects. This spider had a small moth when we first found it but dropped the moth into the pitcher either because it was finished eating or because of our presence. It was interesting, too, that this spider was colored exactly like the pitcher, white with maroon markings. More pictures and information on this amazing place can be found at: ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2010/10/little-bog-....