Re: water bugs
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: water bugs
- From: D* S*
- Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 08:59:20 -0400
On Sat, 29 Jul 2000 18:17:59 -0400 "Bolt Upright" <berlin@wycol.net>
writes:
>BTW, they're also
> called Palmetto Bugs, since, in the wild they thrive in Palmetto
> Palms, and
> it's certain that they were introduced to the Botanical Gardens via
> an infested Palm.
>
Keith --
Thanks for the clarification. I know what palmetto bugs are -- once
again, the common name thing. The sub-tropical and tropical parts of the
world have a host of creepy crawlies which seem to enjoy the company of
humans, regardless of whether the feeling is reciprocated. It sorta'
comes with the territory (after all, it's been THEIR territory for
several million years). Whenever I'm feeling really tired of cold and
snow all I have to do is visit cousins in Louisiana or Florida to change
my mind. ;-)
Personally, it's those giant spiders that feed on palmetto bugs that I
could do without.
Seems like all botanical gardens (as well as public aquaria),
particularly the old ones, have populations of some exotic animal or
another, especially in the basements and other service areas (I know of
several people who actually did their thesis work on such populations).
In the 19th Century there was no concern at all for restrictions or
inspections of any kind, which is how we Americans got the German
cockroach in the first place, among other things. Given the evidence at
hand, restrictions aren't necessarily a bad thing.
Dean Sliger
Warren, Michigan, USA
Zone 6B
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