The Venus Flytrap: Preserving a

Regional Treasure

Written by Aliyah Charlot

The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
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Table of Contents
I. Abstract 2
II. The Exploitation of the Venus Fly Trap 2
a. What is the Venus Fly Trap? 2
b. Habitat Destruction 3
c. Poaching the Wild Population 3
III. Saving the Venus Flytrap 4
a. Officially Name the Venus Flytrap Endangered 4
b. Stop Poaching 4
IV. The Implications of Proposed Actions 5
a. Protections for Endangered Species 5
b. Maintaining a Venus Flytrap Habitat 5
c. Poaching Countermeasures 6
V. Conclusion 6
VI. References 7

Figures
Figure 1 2

Figure 2 3

Figure 3 4
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Abstract
The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant native to a coastal region in the Carolinas. In recent
decades, its population declined exponentially. This can be attributed to several factors,
including habitat development and poaching. This paper proposes means to counteract these
losses. The primary goal is the addition of the Venus flytrap to the endangered species list.
Resulting federal support will diminish further habitat destruction and poaching. However,
getting officially listed as an endangered species is a long an arduous process. While waiting for
government aid, much can be done to protect the Venus flytrap at the local level. More frequent
prescribed burns can remove competition. As for poaching, perpetrators could receive harsher
sentences. Also, spatial mapping can be used to identify hotspots of poaching activity that need
monitoring.

The Exploitation of the Venus Fly Trap

What is the Venus Fly Trap?

Dionaea muscipula is a species of carnivorous plant

characterized by hinged leaves lined with spines. More
commonly known as the Venus flytrap, it is endemic to
the subtropical wetlands of the coastal Carolina region
(Leege, 2003). It thrives in areas with hot, humid
summers and mild winters. In addition, the soil profile
Figure 1 – This map illustrates the
must be sandy with good drainage. However, sandy soils distribution of Venus flytrap populations
are known to lack important nutrients like nitrogen and in the Carolina region. Blue areas are
historic counties of occurrence that no
potash (a mixture of salts containing potassium that are longer have flytraps. You can currently
dissolvable in water). To compensate for this, the Venus find flytraps in orange areas.

flytrap feeds on small insects.

There are an estimated 35,000 Venus flytraps left in the wild (Mele, 2016). They span
approximately 70 square miles across fifteen North Carolina counties and one South Carolina
county (Figure 1).
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Habitat Destruction

Like many other species in recent decades, the Venus flytrap is losing its natural habitat. As the
human population steadily increases, so does the need for land. Thus, wetlands are being
converted for agriculture, silviculture, and residential communities (Venus flytraps, n.d.).
Activities like logging, clear cutting, and ditching physically harm the plants. Also, the number
of surrounding shrubs and trees are not been properly maintained. Thus, the Venus flytrap often
finds itself competing for already scarce resources.

Poaching the Wild Population

Though native to a relatively small region, Venus flytraps are found in shops, gardens, and
homes around the world. Their carnivorous nature and distinct appearance continue to fascinate
plant enthusiasts. Owners hope to witness firsthand the famous trapping behavior thought to defy
the hierarchical order of life.

Most Venus flytraps are legally sourced from nurseries and gardens. However, thousands are
directly harvested from public land and trafficked globally (Mele, 2016). In combination with
habitat destruction, poaching has caused a sharp decline in the Venus fly trap’s population
(Figure 2).

Figure 2 – This graph illustrates the steep

decline in the number of wild Venus flytraps
over 30 years. Nearly 98% of the original
population was lost,
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Saving the Venus Flytrap

Officially Name the Venus Flytrap Endangered

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was

established to protect and restore the
populations of species threatened by
economic infrastructural growth
(Summary, n.d.). It gives the US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) the authority
to review a species’ population and
status. Depending on their findings, the
species is then categorized based on
population threat level. Species at
different levels are offered certain
protections.

The official USFWS website describes

two ways to be considered: through the
petition process or through the candidate
assessment process (Listing and Critical
Habitat, 2020). The candidate assessment
process is entirely up to the US Fish and
Wildlife Service or the National Marine
Fisheries Service. However, the public
can submit a petition at any time. The Figure 3 – This diagram summarizes the petition
North Carolina and Natural Heritage process for listing an endangered species. It takes
around 1.5 years on average.
Program can work with local
governments to gather “substantial
information” to present to the USFWS
for review (Figure 3).
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Stop Poaching

Without poaching, thousands of Venus flytrap plants would be saved a year. Theses plants would
propagate to further increase numbers in the wild. Three key components of prevention are
negative reinforcement, law enforcement, and a reduction in demand (Kamminga et al., 2018).
Negative reinforcement and law enforcement go hand in hand with enforcing legal disciplinary
actions for poaching. Demand can be reduced by alerting consumers about the devasting effects
of poaching on wild Venus flytrap populations. Further measures can be implemented to detect
instances of poaching that bypass preventive measures.

The Implications of Proposed Actions

Protections for Endangered Species

If the Venus flytrap achieves endangered status, it will be illegal to import and/or export it
(Summary, n.d.). No project authorized or funded by the federal government will proceed if it
can potentially harm the native plant population. That includes the construction of highways and
roads funded by the Federal-Aid Highway Program. Also, a recovery plan will be developed
with the help of federal hired professional biologists and botanists (Venus flytraps, n.d.). This
plan will meet the specific biological and ecological needs of the Venus flytrap. It can be
modeled after systems in place at privately owned sanctuaries.

Maintaining a Venus Flytrap Habitat

A prime example of a well-managed Venus flytrap habitat is the Green Swamp Preserve in North
Carolina. There plants receive periodic burnings that remove brush, shrubs, and trees (Green
Swamp Preserve, n.d.). This decreases the chance of wildfires and removes competition for
native vegetation. Simultaneously, mineral nitrogen and phosphorus is reintroduced to the soil.

At the preserve, the land is regularly monitored for signs of irregularities and poaching. Ranger
positions could be created to do the same for public land.
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Poaching Countermeasures

Kamminga et al. researched the poaching of rhinos in Africa; they subsequently developed an
anti-poaching plan based on detection and prevention (2018). We can adapt this methodology to
suit the needs of the Venus flytrap.

Ideally, the Venus flytrap would have the protection of endangered species list. However, the
listing process can take years to complete (Figure 3). A more immediate response is on a local
level. Poaching Venus flytraps should be considered a crime with substantial consequences.
Currently, it is a felony in 5 counties North Carolina counties (Mele, 2016). This should be made
a standard sentencing for counties across the state.

One can reduce demand by making the public more aware of poaching. Ethically sourced Venus
flytraps should be labeled so whenever or wherever they are sold. Thus, plant-lovers around the
world can make more informed decisions when considering purchasing a Venus flytrap. They
might be less willing to support a company whose sourcing methods are potentially harming a
threatened wild population.

If instances of poaching continue despite these measures, we can develop techniques for
detection. Young et al. developed a spatial model to detect areas by poachers (2011). They
consulted with National Park Service personnel to identify 11 geographic factors important to
poachers. These factors were then ranked and cross reference with surrounding areas to pinpoint
the most at risk sites.

Conclusion
The Venus flytrap is in danger. Extinction could come within the next decade. Actions can be
taken at the federal and local level to preserve this regional treasure. Being officially recognized
as an endangered species would offer much needed protection from habitat destruction and
poaching. However, the petitioning process can take years to complete. In the meantime, it is up
to local governments to combat poaching and protect what remains of the Venus flytrap’s
habitat.
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References
1. Kamminga, J., Ayele, E., Meratnia, N., & Havinga, P. (2018). Poaching Detection
Technologies-A Survey. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 18(5), 1474.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s18051474
2. Young, John A., Manen, Frank T. van, & Thatcher, Cindy A. (2011). Geographic
Profiling to Assess the Risk of Rare Plant Poaching in Natural Areas. Environmental
Management, 48, 577-587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9687-3
3. Venus flytrap. (n.d.). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved May 27, 2020, from
https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/plants/venus-flytrap/
4. Leege, Lissa. How does the Venus flytrap digest flies? (2003). Scientific American.
Retrieved May 27, 2020 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-the-
venus-flytra/
5. Mele, Christopher. Venus Flytraps Need Protection from Poachers in North Carolina.
(2016). The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2020 from
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/us/venus-flytraps-poaching-north-carolina.html
6. Listing and Critical Habitat: Overview. (2020). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved
May 28, 2020 from https://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/listing-overview.html
7. Summary of the Endangered Species Act. (n.d.). United States Environmental Protection
Agency. Retrieved May 28, 2020 from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-
endangered-species-act
8. Green Swamp Preserve. (n.d.) The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved May 28, 2020 from
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/green-swamp-
preserve/