Tuesday 22 March 2011

why border inspections are important

i hear a lot of grumbling in my travels
from people who resent the caution exercised by those monitoring our borders
but here's a good reason for it all

while out wandering the fields on a misty autumn afternoon

























gathering stuff to make more things like this
























i found record numbers of these disgusting creatures

























they're everywhere, crawling outside and inside the house
in writhing waves of black
dropping from the ceiling
and crunching underfoot

these accidental immigrants only appeared in South Australia in 1953.
conditions have been just perfect for their world domination plan.

scourges aren't limited to things that creep and crawl. think of the diseases that have decimated tree populations around the whirled as well [the chestnuts of eastern USA, for example, not to mention the dogwoods now under threat]

and while i have in the past [when it was permitted] cheerfully imported leaves [carefully packaged and labelled, leaves later incinerated after processing] in order to steam/boil them for dye samples it's not a risk i want to take anymore.

nor do i need to - the trusty travelling cauldron is all i require to gather windfall treasure on the run

5 comments:

  1. yes, my Buddhist principles fly out the door when it comes to these beasties...not only do they stink [and sometimes cause allergic skin reactions by crawling over sensitive people]
    each one can pop out 80 infants at one go!

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  2. This post was an eye-opener really! i didn't have a clue that they are illegal immigrants

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  3. So true... I live in a magical, hemlock forest. Many of the old, majestic stands of hemlock in the southern US are dead now, due to a tiny illegal immigrant, the wooly adelgid, from China, I believe. We are lucky that we are colder up here and this slows them down, but they are around. What would I do if my peaceful forest were invaded by these silent but speedy killers?

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  4. I have to say too, that I had no idea they were imported things, we have them here.. at least I am assuming they are one and the same, they get inside, curl up and die all over the place. And yes they stink when handled.
    In my readings about plants I have discovered many many immigrants.. some on purpose, some 'accidental', and I guess some blown over.. it's amazing..
    Love your work India..

    hugs Annette

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  5. ugh..horriblex glad we don't have them over here in UKxxlynda

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