Don't get too close to a sundew species or you could be sorry! That is, if you're an insect. Sundews are carnivores. They lure insects to their sticky hairy leaves and slowly digest them. In addition to mosquitos and flies, they catch larger insects such as beetles and dragon-flies. The meat supplements the necessary minerals needed to grow. In this way, the plant is able to survive in strongly nutrient-poor environments. Sundew got its name from the sun glistening in the secreted drops which resemble dew.