Nepenthes bicalcarata has a mutualistic relationship with a species of ant, Camponotus schmitzi. The ants live in the hollow tendrils of the pitchers. The plant provides the ants with shelter, nectar, and attracts prey which the ants often "rescue" from the pitchers (and then eat). The ants are specially adapted to be able to swim in the pitcher fluid, submerge themselves for up to 30 seconds, and safely escape. In turn the ants ensure pitchers don't become too full with prey, and they discard their waste back into the pitchers. The ants actively clean the peristome of the pitchers, increasing trapping effectiveness. They also defend the plant from insects that would damage it, such as weevils.
These are high quality, hard enamel pins that are very scratch resistant and should last forever. The metal component is gold-colored. These are slightly larger than our Nepenthes villosa pins, at 1.5" in length.
