Dudu Diaries

Category: Culture, Ecology, Flies | Date: Aug 03 2009 | By: dududiaries

There is a poem by Jonathan Swift (1733) that goes:

 So, naturalists observe, a flea

Hath smaller fleas that on him prey;

And these have smaller still to bite ‘em,

And so proceed ad infinitum.

Thus, every poet, in his kind,

Is bit by him that comes behind.Which has been recently re-hashed as:

 Big fleas have little fleas

Upon their backs to bite &em;

And little fleas have lesser fleas

And so, ad infinitum.Whichever version you prefer - I think that you will agree it aptly sums up what is happening to this poor fly that I found hanging out on a Euphorbia a few days ago… More soon and thanks to everyone for the kind comments!