Insectivorous plants

Definition

Plants adapted to capture, kill, and digest insects and other small arthropods to supplement nutrient acquisition, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in nutrient-poor habitats such as acidic bogs, sandy soils, or waterlogged sunny sites. The term emphasizes the arthropod prey base rather than the broader carnivorous habit that may include small vertebrates. These plants possess specialized trap structures—active (e.g., Venus flytrap snap traps, bladderwort suction traps) or passive (e.g., pitcher plant pitfall traps, sundew adhesive traps)—that attract, retain, and digest prey with enzymes or symbiotic microbial assistance. The relationship represents a significant ecological sink for local insect and microarthropod populations.

Etymology

From Latin insectum (insect) + vorare (to devour)

Example

Sundews (Drosera) capture small dipteran midges and collembolans on sticky glandular tentacles, then slowly curl their leaves to bring more glands into contact with the struggling arthropod, maximizing digestive enzyme exposure and nutrient absorption.

Synonyms

• carnivorous plants

Related Terms

• carnivorous plants
• pitcher plants
• Venus flytrap
• sundews
• bladderworts
• pitfall trap
• enzymatic digestion
• nutrient limitation
• bog ecology
• ant-plant mutualism

Usage Notes

Historically preferred in entomological contexts (Darwin 1875), though 'carnivorous plants' is now the broader standard term encompassing vertebrate prey. Use 'insectivorous' when specifically discussing arthropod prey or classical entomological literature. Not all carnivorous plants are strictly insectivorous—some tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes) regularly capture small vertebrates.