The presented diagram gives information about the prey-capturing mechanic of small and large Venus Flytrap species to maximize their use of digestive enzymes.
Overall, it is discernible that both small and large species involve three identical steps to digest a prey: triggering, shutting, and absorbing. However, the larger ones may process the prey differently, depending on the size of the prey.
Looking first at the small plants, the digesting process begins with setting trap, similar to a foothold trap, with two arms on either side open. When a prey, typically small insects, enters the trap zone, it contact hairs, triggering the trap to shut , and is stuck in the snaps. Once the prey is unable to move, the nutrition absorption phase commences, with digestive enzymes being secreted to transform the prey into nutrients, feeding the plant.
Regarding the larger plants, the mechanic remains the same. However, the plant is able to measure the size of the prey thanks to the distance among its hairs, thus deciding whether it should release the prey or not. This mechanic is known as energy optimization to ensure that the plants can survive longer. Preys that are not in desired size are released when the plant opens its snaps.