Question

Part of unopened sarra   My sarracenia Judith Hindle was doing well over the summer, sending out new shoots and getting filled to the brim with insects. It gets full sun and plenty of water and bugs. When a few started splitting, I assumed it was because they got too full or a few wasps managed to chew their way out. But lately it seems that new shoots are ripped apart as well, even before they've opened, so this can't be the case. I've attached a picture of today's latest damage. Around it you can see how much of the damaged ones I've had to trim off. So upset because they were all beautiful!

Do you have any idea what may be eating it, or what I can do?

Answer
Hi Lynn,

This looks like bird damage, especially since you've found older pitchers damaged.  The damage looks more like a tear than the chewing of something like a caterpillar.  Many Jay species will do this along with other insect eating birds like Robins if they discover the easy meal available in Sarracenia pitchers.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com