A carnivorous pitcher plant has been found to drug its prey with a nerve toxin before digesting it, researchers have discovered.
The plant, Nepenthes khasiana, produces a sweet nectar along the rim of its pitcher-shaped traps to attract insects, especially ants. But the sugary liquid contains a toxic compound called isoshinanolone, a nerve agent that disrupts the insects’ nervous systems, slowing movement, weakening muscles and triggering excessive grooming.
As the toxin takes effect, affected insects lose coordination and often tumble into the pitcher, where they drown in digestive fluids. In some cases, the nerve agent alone is fatal.
The nectar also contains sugars that absorb moisture, making the rim extremely slippery and increasing the likelihood that prey will slide into the trap. This combination of chemical intoxication and physical hazard allows the plant to secure nutrients from insects, helping it survive in nutrient-poor soils.
