develop the same sticky glandular hairs and to kill insects inside
the greenhouses.
The insect-killing hairs resemble those on carnivorous sun-
dew plants,"but we have no evidence that there is any nutrition-
al benefit to the plant,"says Chase,who adds that the team is
arranging some tests to see whether the plant absorbs any nutri-
ent.However,even if it doesn't absorb nutrients,killing insects
in this way could still be beneficial for Nicotiana insecticida."It
definitely protects the plants from insects,says Chase.
The plants may also benefit when the dead insects break
down.Chase says that the species may be like South African Ro-
ridula plants,which kill insects in the same way."There is a bug
that lives on these plants and isn't trapped by the sticky hairs.It