Oft-repeated
One of my favourite songs is ‘All God’s creatures got a place in the choir.’ The version here is by Makem and Clancy.
The song was written by the American folksinger Bill Staines (1947-2021)
One of my oft-repeated phrases is that everything has its place in the world.
All things in nature contribute to the ecosystem, though it’s sometimes hard to appreciate the role of the less attractive.
One that makes people shudder is the cockroach. They have been in existence for about three hundred and twenty million years.
Associated with decay, dirt, and disease, there are four thousand, six hundred species, and of those, around thirty are associated with humans. They live in a wide range of locations, from Arctic to Equatorial, and the members of most species are insignificant and innocuous. Many are social, gregarious animals, living in close proximity to each other, for protection and to reproduce.
They range in length from 3.5 mm to 97 mm and most of them are rusty brown in colour, though the Domino cockroach is black with white spots.
Repulsive as they are, they are vital agents in the removal of decaying matter, like dead animals, plants, and leaf litter. They are one of Nature’s refuse collectors.
They also enrich the soil with their droppings. They are an important food for animals, like birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
As they dig through soil and fallen leaves they function as aerators, breaking up and improving the earth. Some even assist in seed dispersal.
They have been studied extensively in the fields of locomotion and antibiotic research.
Nonetheless, cockroaches do not live in isolation, and where there is one, there will be others nearby, possibly dozens, or even hundreds of others.
And I know where those hundreds are hidden too. Didn't worry about this too much when we lived in Illinois, but here in Hawaii...shiver!
ReplyDeleteCockroaches are indeed repulsive but worse still, they carry bacteria that cause disease if left on food.
ReplyDeleteThere is a programme on tv called Hoarders where cockroaches seem to congregate under the filth :(
You picked a good song to go along with your post.
ReplyDeleteYour link did not work, but I know the song, thogh I have only heard the Celtic Thunder version and I do love Celtic Thunder. I'm not a fan of cockroaches though they do have their place just like any other, I just prefer them outside not inside.
ReplyDeleteMy only experience is that, yes, they do come in numbers. They were in our townhouse in 1971, and they were in every unit from what I understand.
ReplyDeleteWe don't see many in my city. It is a bit cool for them and they seem to prefer more humidity. We also have native cockroaches that stay in their natural environment of bushland.
ReplyDeleteAnd the ecosystem in which everything has its place is so fragile; we keep disturbing or even destroying it, and yet nature has an almost miraculous ability to reclaim a place when left alone long enough.
ReplyDeleteThey do repulse me so I am glad that our climate here doesn't encourage them as house guests.
ReplyDeleteIt's the one bug we don't have here, mad cat woman's house next door attracts all sorts and the visit us often.
ReplyDeleteIn the last paragraph - may I suggest that you replace "cockroaches" with "humans". I cannot understand the widespread antipathy towards cockroaches.
ReplyDeleteCockroaches are repulsive little creatures but I can live with them so long as they do not inavade my space.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know they are good for the environment. Fortunately I have never lived in a home where they have invaded.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favourite songs, sung by Celtic Thunder. Cockroaches are not my favourites. I can see they must have a place in nature, but thankfully not in my home
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the good in cockroaches tganks for raising awareness. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
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