Return of the Killer Plants

[eBeyonder]

Here are some screenshots from this latest clip:

The 'star' of the show:

The trap is set:

And it closes - in less than one second. I had the camera at 30 FPS and there were altogether about 10 images showing the closure of the trap. So it took 1/3 second to close?

Note the movement of the subject trap in relation to the closed trap beside it to see very subtle movement between the first and second pictures:

 

[eBeyonder]

From the 2nd to 3rd pic, the change is most dramatic and so fast that the camera couldn't capture it very well. Note also that the fly is stationary until the next pic, when only it tries to escape. But by this time, the trap is already too shut for it to escape. I need a camera that can film at 60 fps lah. Just imagine the detail it can capture here!

Close-up of the trapped fly:

Less than 5 mins later, the trap appeared to be firmly sealed. Here, an ant tries to enter to trap but to no avail:

 

[eBeyonder]

Some other pics showing other CPs in action. I read that the tentacles of D.burmannii are the fastest moving of all, so I filmed the entire process. Camera shake was very bad due to the high magnification, so I'll try again with a tripod. But it appears that the tentacles do move very quickly. I'll try to put up the video later.

 

[eBeyonder]

Here are the videos! Enjoy! It's the same trap taken throughout, and the time span the videos convey is about 5 mins. Notice how the trap slowly seals.

1. Fly being trapped by VFT



Direct link: vft1-1.wmv

2. Fly struggling to get out of trap; close-ups



Direct link: vft2-1.wmv

3. Series of videos showing ant trying to enter sealed trap



Direct link: vft3-1.wmv



Direct link: vft4-1.wmv



Direct link: vft5-1.wmv



Direct link: vft6-1.wmv

 

[eBeyonder]

The previous video:

 

[Carito]

OMG thank you sooooo much!! that totally rocked