Jan 09 2009
Termite Attack
“The buffet is being attacked!” shouted JP, our French chef, down the phone.
Friday night features a lavish tropical buffet at our theater restaurant. Built into a three-tiered amphitheater, it gives 250 guests an unobstructed view of the performance of traditional dances.
When I stepped out of my office I already knew what had attacked the buffet. Millions of termites with wings swarmed the sky with the highest concentration around street lamps and wall sconces. Every year for just one night after dusk, termites follow a biological clock and emerge from their hiding places to flock a particular area. They are primarily attracted by light. They crawl into houses under the doors. They creep into window cracks. They fall onto salads and fruits like bees to honey, well guided by the buffet spot lights.
Half of an hour later, all that is to be seen are millions upon millions of wings on the roads under the lamp posts like a carpet of gossamer shreds. The termites shed their wings and crawl on.
The problem is we never know when to expect them. It typically occurs during rainy season. Tonight happens to be the night. I won’t be surprised to find a layer of wings in front of my door when I get home, and I will most likely find a dozen or so dead termites inside.
It is a gruesome task to try to pick out termite bodies, the size of a large black ant, off a buffet line. The chefs will have to whip out a new set of dishes in just twenty minutes when the guests start to arrive.
In many parts of Asia local people eat insects as one of the delicacies. Perhaps I should have a word with JP to explore this option.
photo courtesy melita_dennet@flickr.com
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