The leaf will roll up around the insect to encase it. The plant will then release chemicals to digest the insect. The plant will absorb the nutrients released from the insect. Because they are small, sundews and butterworts require careful observation as you walk through the savanna. But with a careful eye, you may see one of these plants with an insect trapped within it.
Pitcher plants have another unique method of capturing insects.
Insects are attracted to nectar produced at the rim and on the inside of the pitcher. As the insect crawls into the pitcher to get more nectar, it is trapped by downward pointing hairs that do not allow the insect to crawl back out. The insect falls down into the base of the pitcher which is filled with digestive enzymes. Like the sundews and butterworts, the pitcher plant uses the nutrients released from the insects. Look down into the pitcher plants you see on the refuge.