What eats carnivorous plants?

[ICPS-bob]

I received an interesting question from a teacher. His students asked "what animals eat Nepenthes?"

I have no idea. I know N. ampullaria pitchers are used as a convenient container for cooked rice in Sarawak -- but I do not think people eat the Nepenthes container.

So that brings up a more general question. What animals eat carnivorous plants in general? Are there animals that specifically target a CP -- rather than the occasional munching?

For example, the Venus flytrap moth (Hemipachnobia subporphyrea) was thought to be a Dionaea obligate, but recent studies suggest VFTs are at least their strongly preferred host.

The caterpillars of several moths feed on the S. purpurea. These species include: Exyra fax (Epauletted Pitcher Plant Moth), who feed on the inner surface of the tubular leaves; Papaipema appassionata (Pitcher Plant Borer Moth), feed on the roots; and Endothenia hebesana (Dull-Barred Endothenia), feed within the seed capsules. This last moth is polyphagous (feeds on many plants), while the other moths feed only on Sarracenia spp. Sarracenia flowers and leaves are sometimes eaten by deer and voles.

But, what eats Nepenthes?

[justjack]

I've heard that racoons think Sarracenia are pixie stix.

[mattmega4]

arent there certain kinds of wasps that make home in sars..they dont necessarily EAT the pitcher..but they dont improve it

[Dave Evans]

There is an insect that parasitizes the flowers of S. purpurea in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

[kulamauiman]

I have several non-native noctuid caterpillars that are eating my sundews and really getting me peeved. Same ones got into my Nep cuttings and are the young leaves before they unfurled. One would think that host specific insects/animals would have evolved to utilize them as a food source in their native lands, in addition to the symbiotic relationship with a few neps and ants.