The Bromeliad Catopsis Berteroniana Traps Terrestrial Arthropods but Harbors Wyeomyia Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Small numbers of terrestrial arthropods were trapped in the water-filled leaf axils of the bromeliads Billbergia pyramidalis, Neoregelia spectabilis, and Tillandsia utriculata. In experimental comparison, 12 X as many per plant were trapped in leaf axils of Catopsis berteroniana, supporting the hypothesis that this bromeliad is insectivorous. In Everglades National Park (Florida, USA), larvae, pupae, and pupal exuviae of Wyeomyia vanduzeei and Wyeomyia mitchellii were found in water held in leaf axils of C. berteroniana. Thus, despite its insectivorous habit, this plant provides a suitable habitat for the development of Wyeomyia mosquitoes.