A Bug’s Life

A Bug’s Life

Imagine the short but happy life of a Ladybug. They say that if you see a Ladybug, you’ll have good luck all throughout the day. Of course, it is not easy to see one these days.You have to live on top of a Sineguelas or mango tree to commune with them more often.

 Salagubang, salaguinto and the like are the nicest bugs I’ve ever  known. I remember playing with them when I was a kid. It was cruel though. Why? Well, after catching a Salagubang, you’ve to tie it up right under the wings and then toss it in the air so that it will continually fly in a circular motion. Poor bug!

It’s terribly cruel for the little bug.

Anyway, Ladybugs seem  few these days. With trees being cut down to give way to development, I wonder if they will make it through to the next ten years.

 Oh well, as far as I know these seemingly harmless bugs are non-believer of population control. They reproduce fast…and exponentially, like a thousand eggs per a mother’s lifetime!

Today, people no longer care about their role in the ecosystem. In particular, Salagubangs have come down to civilization with a new purpose. People used to catch them for fun. Now, they seek them for some exotic recipes.

The cruel fate of these cute and seemingly harmless little bugs makes you wonder. Do they deserve some respect, too. Do they have rights like all other animals? Is there any juridical or philosophical construct that can justify their claims for fair treatment?

Maybe if we study their peculiar nature, we will be able to offer a better explanation of their existence and the need to protect them.  For now, let’s just feel lucky whenever we see any of them.

11 Comments

  1. When I was a kid, I also love to play with ladybugs. I pull out a string and put it to the body. It makes me smile all the time when I see one of them. In this article, I learned that when we see bugs we’re feel lucky throughout the day. It’s a new learning for me. I hope that some kids won’t play anymore with the ladybugs because I know and through reading this article it is important in our environment. Though it brings joy to us we still need to take good care of this ladybugs which are considered as a wonderful creation of God. We should be grateful for its existence.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I believe that everything created by God has its own purpose in this world. For now, maybe we cannot see or explain what is the real purpose of the existence of the ladybug, however I think that they need to be respect because they have their life too.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. This is a wonderful post. The time will come when we will no longer be able to witness the magnificence of these living, artistic works of nature. The fact that someone is still concerned about the well-being of these little critters, and acts, even in little ways shimmers rays of hope for humanity.

    As Mahatma Gandhi once said:

    “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way animals are treated… I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.”

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I just remembered what we did to those salagubang/salaginto’s when we were little. We would shake the branches of mango trees so that they will drop to the ground, then after we capture them, we will break its legs (those spiky ones) and we will tie a thread on it then we’ll let it fly. It looks like they are our pet, a flying pet.

    I’m really a terrible kid.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I wonder if the claim for fair treatment depends on size. I mean, animals have rights. But why are bugs easily neglected and abused? Is it because they’re small and vulnerable? Is it because they can’t retaliate? Do people think bugs are inconsequential that it doesn’t matter whether they receive their rights or not? If so, then our society, is doomed. Well, the same can be said for the species of these tiny creatures.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. One of the most common quote nowadays is the “Batang 90’s ka kung…” . This article reminds me of my childhood because I used to play also with the Salagubang and the Salaginto. My Lolo used to catch them at our old mango tree. I realized how important these little cute creatures are in our ecosystem as well as the joy it bring to people who was once a child.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I also used to play with a bug when I was a kid because I find them very cute and interesting. Of course they deserve some respect because they’re also considered as an animal. All animals including bugs have a role in our ecosystem. Others see them as pests and useless but bugs have their own ecological importance that helps our environment so they also have a right like all other animals.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment