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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Flying Insect Detection and Classification with Inexpensive Sensors
Published on: October 15, 2014
Venus flytrap trigger hairs are micronewton mechano-sensors that can detect small insect prey
S Scherzer1, W Federle2, K A S Al-Rasheid3
1Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany. s.scherzer@botanik.uni-wuerzburg.de.
Abstract:
Venus flytraps detect moving insects via highly sensitive, action potential (AP)-producing trigger hairs, which act as high-sensitivity levers, crucial for prey capture and digestion. Controlled stimulation revealed that they can trigger APs for deflections >2.9°, angular velocities >3.4° s-1 and forces >29 µN. Hairs became desensitized and subsequently responded to fast consecutive stimulations; desensitization increased at lower temperatures. Recording of ant trigger hair contact events revealed that even small insects exceed the hairs' sensitivity threshold.
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