Hello to all carnivorous plant lovers!
Today I want to talk to you about a fascinating aspect of our carnivorous plants: their special relationship with flies. You will see why these insects, as well as other flying insects, are prime prey for carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps , Sarracenia , Drosera and many others.
Why Flies and Other Flying Insects?
Flies are everywhere! Not only are they abundant, but they are also perfect for carnivorous plants because of their size and behavior. For carnivorous plants like Dionaea muscipula or Sarracenia, flies and other flying insects such as mosquitoes, butterflies and wasps, moths etc are ideal sources of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are often scarce in the soils where these carnivorous plants grow, such as peat bogs, sandy soils, acidic and very nutrient-poor environments. 
How Do Carnivorous Plants Catch Flies and Other Insects?
Let's see how these carnivorous plants catch their prey:
1. Venus Flytrap Jaw Traps
The Venus flytrap, or Dionaea muscipula in French, is probably the most famous of the carnivorous plants. Its jaw-like traps close quickly when the sensitive hairs inside are touched. This traps the fly or other flying insect, which is then digested by enzymes. If you are interested in this fascinating plant, take a look at our collection of Dionaea flytraps in the online shop!
2. Sarracenia Urn Traps
Sarracenia take a different approach with their pitcher traps. They attract flies and other flying insects with their sweet nectar, colors and even scents. 
Nectar in the form of drops on the edges of the operculum.
The insects land on the edges of the urns and eventually fall off, becoming trapped inside.
Inside, the surface of the urns is extremely slippery and covered with downward-facing hairs, making any attempt to climb almost impossible for the insects. The insects eventually drown or die of exhaustion while trying to escape; they are then digested by enzymes, providing a feast for the Sarracenia. If you would like to add a Sarracenia to your collection, check out our available Sarracenia here!
A fly being decomposed by digestive enzymes in a Sarracenia purpurea pitcher.
3. Drosera Sticky Traps
Mucilage, those sticky drops of water that stick insects to the traps of a Drosera capensis.
Drosera use another clever mechanism: their leaves are covered in hairs with sticky glands that capture flies and other small flying insects. The insects are attracted to the mucilage, which they mistake for small water droplets. They come to land on it, thinking they are cooling off or getting water, but find themselves stuck. Once stuck, the insects activate the trap mechanism.
The Drosera will then slowly close its trap on the insect, like a boa on its prey, and slowly digest it using enzymes.
Drosera regia captures an insect by slowly wrapping its leaf around the prey, trapping the insect and then digesting it using its enzymes.
You can explore our Drosera collection to see these traps in action here!
Attracting Flies and Other Insects: Carnivorous Plant Techniques
Carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytrap and Sarracenia, use bright colors, attractive patterns, and intoxicating scents to attract flies and other flying insects. Drosophila, for example, secretes a honey-like odor.
If you grow your carnivorous plants indoors, in a terrarium, you can still feed your carnivorous plants with live or dried insects.
Conclusion
Carnivorous plants are truly fascinating, especially when you understand their relationship with flies and other flying insects. They have evolved to take advantage of these insects as a valuable source of nutrients. If you want to experience these wonders for yourself, be sure to visit our online store to see our selection of carnivorous plants like Venus Flytrap, Sarracenia, and Drosera.
See you soon for more discoveries about the incredible world of carnivorous plants!
Alain.