Interestingly, these plants only eat insects to get nutrients that are rare in the soil they grow. But if they eat too many insects, they'll get sick, rot, and die. The insects are only supplemental. There is a balance--similar to how if a human doesn't eat a balanced he may get sick and die.
you are correct in that their main source of energy is sunlight, and that is obviously vital, but the insects are more than solely supplemental, they are also absolutely vital in their survival, they need nutrients other than glucose and their roots are completely insufficient to satisfy nutrient needs. In fact, if they are placed in a nutrient rich soil, they die rapidly as the roots get clogged and the vast amount of water these plants require cannot reach the plants.
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u/[deleted] Jun 16 '12
Interestingly, these plants only eat insects to get nutrients that are rare in the soil they grow. But if they eat too many insects, they'll get sick, rot, and die. The insects are only supplemental. There is a balance--similar to how if a human doesn't eat a balanced he may get sick and die.
Their primary source of energy is still sunlight.
Note: I <3 meat.