The prey capture mechanism of micro structure on the Sarracenia Judith Hindle inner surface

Abstract

Low friction surface has attracted considerable attention due to its potential application in various fields. As a typical carnivorous plant, Sarracenia Judith Hindle possesses unique slippery surface to capture prey especially in wet environment. In order to make clear the low friction mechanism, structural characterization was carried out and unique inclined micro-thorn structure was found on the inner wall surface. Micro-droplets harvest on the surface of the micro-thorn was discovered via the observation in wet environment. Friction force measurement was conducted by sliding the ants’ footpad on the inner surface and polymer replica surfaces, which demonstrated that the friction force decreases on those surfaces in wet environment or inward direction. Further analysis manifested that the slippery inner surface grown with hierarchical micro-thorn structure leads to the friction decrease, and that is the fundamental mechanism for prey capture and retention in the pitcher of carnivorous plant Sarracenia Judith Hindle.