Trigger hairs

[schloaty]

Do you think this may have anything to do with the size of the trap? You would think it would be detrimental to have the hairs spaced out too much, as a potential meal could avoid them, so if there is more surface to cover, more trigger hairs? Just a thought....

[BigCarnivourKid]

But would more trigger hairs be a benefit. They could be detrimental instead. I would think that a large trap would need a corresponding increase in the amount of energy needed to open and close. More trigger hairs would increase the chance of smaller prey triggering the trap to seal, using up energy to catch prey that might not be large enough to replace the energy used to catch it. Fewer trigger hairs, would need a larger insect to trigger them in quick succesion.

Whachya all think?

[sarracenialuver]

Hello,
The trap is only 1/2 an inch in size, and on the 1 half of the trap with the 5 trigger hairs, there are 4 really close to eachother, then the other one on the other side. Steve, that is probably right, though, my vft catches alot of big prey. Vry unusual.
Kevin

[lil_flytrap_boy]

Count yourself lucky! The more trigger hairs the better to catch flies!

I had one with 4 on one side and 2 on the other once!!!

[NickHubbell]

I have a common vft that is currently doing the same thing. It has 5 trigger hairs on one side and three on the other. If I get my camera back, I will take some photos to share.