No, this is not a piece about Greek political life! Although
there is a rich selection of obnoxious insects, blood-sucking parasites and
venomous serpents among the laughably-termed Greek “elite”, I leave a
comprehensive dissection of that foul class of fauna to a later date. I wish to
describe to my readers a few of the actual insects, pleasant or otherwise, they
may encounter on a sun-blessed visit to these majestic shores.
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| The noisy Cicada, hidden in a pine tree |
The most characteristic summer insect in Greece is the Cicada whose chirruping call fills the
air, if not exactly deafening the population. This serenade is not really
annoying as it is connected with lovely summer sun and evening heat. The cicada
itself, in its European form anyway, is a well-camouflaged insect, residing
mainly in the cracked trunks of pine trees whose sap it sucks contentedly. Its
song emanates from membranes of the abdomen called tymbals producing high
frequency clicks which vibrate and the insect’s body acts as a resonance
chamber delivering remarkably high-decibel sounds. Cicadas are found on all
continents (except Antarctica!) and I gather the pestilential US version is a
tough customer. He resembles the “swivel-eyed loon” – the epithet the Cameroons
applied, before their ultimate downfall, to the fine body of Brexiteers!
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| The US cicada or "swivel-eyed loon" |
Like anywhere hot, Greece has ants, beetles and cockroaches in spades. A neglected slice of bread
or dropped crumbs will quickly attract columns of tiny ants, madly cooperating
to carry their booty away. Cockroaches are odiferous and unwelcome guests; they
make a peculiar squeaking noise, their mating call, which puts the shivers up
many a fastidious spine. I recall my dear mother, speechless with horror when a
quite harmless Centipede interrupted
her toilette, - it was an unknown
sight in her native Scotland!
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| A Mediterranean Centipede |
Small lizards of the gecko
variety find a peaceful nook in houses, especially around balconies; they
are impressively athletic but timid. I recall one taking up residence in our
post-box and I am not sure who was more astonished when we came face-to-face. Yesterday
my dear wife found one nestling in a pile of clothes and she got quite a shock.
With so much flower pollen and foliage, flying insects are
in abundance. Wasps are a particular
hazard in high summer and I recall a young girl being painfully stung on the
tongue when eating beside us in a hotel restaurant in beautiful Skiathos. Her
tongue swelled up alarmingly and it must have been a traumatic episode for her.
Red hornets make a sinister appearance
and are best avoided as they are aggressive and their sting is famously
painful.
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| A nasty red Hornet |
Perhaps the most heart-stopping encounter which can befall
you is to meet a notorious Scorpion.
These hissing insects can be found on our holiday island of Samos where they
congregate in dark alleys or tumbledown walls, often near decrepit old
buildings. They come out at dusk and I advise a rapid exit in the opposite
direction. They are relatively rare and expert exterminators cull them
effectively. Their sting is said to be excruciatingly painful but is not
lethal. Do not hang around long enough to find out for yourself. Their large
pincers and arched sting are very characteristic.
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| The European Scorpion |
Yet I have over-emphasised the nasty side of Greek insect
life. Go to every garden or go to that famous Valley of the Butterflies on Rhodes and wonder at the
beauty of nature fluttering in great numbers and with unforgettable colours.
Such a tonic!
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| A Greek Rainbow Butterfly |
SMD
28.7.16
Text Copyright © Sidney Donald 2016
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