The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant native to the boggy, nutrient-poor soils of North and South Carolina. It evolved snap-traps to supplement its diet with nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients largely absent in its native environment. The traps are modified leaves that capture prey, providing necessary nutrients. The plant still produces its own energy through sunlight and does not rely on insects for its entire survival.
The Necessity of Feeding
Whether manual feeding is necessary depends on the plant’s location. Outdoors, in a suitable climate, the plant catches all the insects it requires naturally, as the traps produce a sweet nectar that attracts small insects. If the plant is housed indoors, where insects are scarce, supplemental feeding is necessary for the plant to thrive. Feeding too frequently is detrimental; a single trap consuming one insect provides enough nutrients for the entire plant for weeks. A general guideline is to feed only one or two traps on the entire plant every four to six weeks during the active growing season, which runs from spring to late summer.
Acceptable Food Sources
The best food for a Venus Fly Trap mimics its natural diet, consisting of small insects and arachnids. Suitable options include small crickets, flies, mealworms, and spiders. The size of the prey is a limiting factor; select food that is no larger than one-third of the trap’s size so the insect fits completely inside. If live insects are unavailable, freeze-dried options like mealworms or bloodworms can be used. These dried foods must first be rehydrated with a few drops of pure water before being offered.
The Physical Feeding Process
Feeding requires stimulating the sensitive trigger hairs (trichomes) located on the inner surface of the trap lobes. For a healthy trap to close, at least two of these six hairs must be touched within a 20-second window, preventing closure due to non-prey stimuli like raindrops. To feed a dead or stunned insect, carefully place the food onto the trap’s surface. After the trap closes and the “teeth” interlock, gently massage the outside of the trap for 30 to 60 seconds. This motion mimics the struggling of a live insect, causing the plant to fully seal the trap and begin releasing digestive enzymes.
Foods and Practices to Avoid
Never feed a Venus Fly Trap human food, especially meats or processed foods. These items contain fats and compounds the plant cannot digest, causing the food to rot inside the trap. This rotting process introduces mold and bacteria, which causes the trap to turn black and die. Avoid insects that are too large, as a trap that cannot fully seal will not be able to digest the prey effectively. Refrain from giving the plant hard-shelled beetles or slimy creatures like earthworms or slugs, as these are difficult to break down and lead to trap decay. Do not trigger the traps without feeding them, as each closure expends significant energy the plant cannot easily recover.