Characterization and Theoretical Analysis of the Venus Flytrap Trigger Hair

Abstract

The Venus flytrap, which possesses a number of mechano-sensitive trigger hairs, is a typical carnivorous plant that effectively senses and catches insects to survive in nutrient-poor habitats. When insects touch the trigger hairs on a leaf, once they reach the threshold, the Venus flytrap induces an action potential and sharply closes to capture the prey. In this paper, the trigger hairs obtain a special cantilever beam structure with a stiff hair lever and a flexible basal podium, and there is a noticeable notched structure at the basal podium, which differs from a common homogeneous hair. Based on the characteristics of the Venus flytrap trigger hairs, we established a three-dimensional model and conducted theoretical and finite element analysis. The results show that the unique hollow heterogeneous cantilever structure of the Venus flytrap trigger hair can achieve high sensitivity and optimal tactile perception. Overall, the morphology, structure and mechanical characteristics of Venus flytrap trigger hairs were characterized in detail, which may provide a deeper understanding of the trigger hairs’ tactile perception mechanism. And the mechanical simulation and optimization analysis of Venus flytrap trigger hairs had an important theoretical basis and parameter support for the further design of state-of-the-art tactile sensors with high sensitivity inspired by Venus flytrap trigger hairs.