Mosquito:
Here, stranded, is a younger larval Wyeomyia smithii.
This insect, along with Metriocnemus, helps digest the prey in the pitchers. Recall that
Sarracenia purpurea pitchers produce enzymes for only their first few weeks. After that, they
rely upon bacteria and these arthropodal commensals to digest the prey.
Studies suggest that even though Metriocnemus is carnivorous, it does not attack
Wyeomyia. Meanwhile it will attack and
consume non-native mosquito species. Interesting, no?
