Mayflies... in May (duh!)
I couldn't bear to leave the house with baby Jo-Lo still awake when it's time for me to go to Manila on Sunday nights, and so that's what happened last night, as is the custom, for me to tiptoe to the living room and pack my things there.
I thought it was just going to be one of those ordinary nights. But then I spied a couple of flying insects resembling dragonflies that were attracted to the living room lights. There was also a weak tapping and buzzing outside. I peeked through the curtain and what I saw looked like a scene from the Reaping. There was a horde of these insects trying to get in! Pretty soon, around 6 of them were flying about the living room.
That's when I realized that these were Mayflies. They come out on the first week of May, especially after a strong rain. They're a pretty harmless lot, and are even a pitiful sight because after their flying frenzy, they drop to the ground, many with wings detached, and they would crawl about until they die. Such is the life span of the Mayflies. Makes me wonder how the next generation survives.
I asked my wife to close the door for me so I can have the porch lights turned on until I get to the gate. Not that I was afraid, but the lights were attracting them and so I can leave the house without having them crawling all over my face.
Just when I thought I was past their maddening crowd, this lamppost right beside the gate was swarming with Mayflies! I zipped up my jacket, kept my mouth shut, and ran up the stairs to the road where I was going to hail a cab.
According to Wikipedia, the Mayfly is an important environment indicator. The presence of Mayflies mean that the water supply is clean. Thank goodness for that. Is this indicative of why I do not see Mayflies in Manila? Hmmm.
Technorati tags: Baguio, Mayflies
