The Strange Disappearance Of The Follame Beetles
Sir Edmund Follame, a famous entomologist of his time, is credited with discovering and bringing back samples of a fascinating insect during his expedition to the Amazon River. It was in 1927 when Sir Edmund Follame and his team came across a previously unknown insect while on a tour of the Amazon River basin. The entomologists were baffled as they could not comprehend how these insects, found in large quantities, had not been previously identified or reported.
The large multicoloured beetles were beautiful, having a carapace which looked like mother-of-pearl in its changing shades and colours, and it was a scene to watch. When sunlight fell on the shell, it looked like a shining stone.
During further expeditions between 1929 and 1930, the teams were able to witness a large number of colonies of these beetles roaming around along the banks of the river. However, during the expedition of 1931, the etymologists were stunned to discover that these bettles were nowhere to be found. The incident was reported immediately to the base camp, and back home, scientists were baffled by the strange disappearance of these beetles.
Various theories were proposed for the disappearance of the beetles. However, they were discarded on the grounds of not sustaining themselves when questioned. Eventually, the mystery was laid to rest by another noted etymologist Bindair-Dundat after several years.
Dundat had been studying the mysterious disappearance of the beetles for a long time. While discovering their peculiar habit and movement, he understood the reason for their extinction. According to Dundat, the stronger and the larger beetles in the group usually lead the group and be responsible for locating food. To be able to feed themselves while travelling, the insects had gotten into the pattern of evolving a singular physiology. Interestingly, the beetles would use their antennae to connect with the rear and legs of the beetle in front so as to form a single long line. This would eventually result in them simply moving ahead without looking elsewhere for food. They would merely be moving front and eating while on the move. They would form lines of several hundred meters in length and create chains of nearly half a kilometer. Ultimately, this peculiar act of the beetles connected them in one line of immense length. The situation would have continued for some more time like this. However, unfortunately, purely by chance, the leading beetle came into contact with the tail end of its line and, as was their instinct, joined it immediately.
Dundat further explained that after two or three circuits of the same area, all the available food would have depleted. The lack of food made the beetles go round and round in search of food and probably search faster than before. Due to starvation, the weak ones died. However, the other beetles with antennae tied to their legs pushed them into the circle. This ensured that the chain was never broken. The other beetles soon faced the same destiny. With more beetles dying out of starvation and others trying to push them ahead and unable to move out of the circular path, they all soon perished.
Bindair-Dundat would later note, “It saddens me greatly to think that if only one beetle had managed to break away from the circle the entire population could have been saved from extinction.”
In memory of the etymologist (Sir Edmund Follame), who found them, these now-extinct beetles were named Follame Beetles.
Many times, we get engaged in certain activities because of “things are done this way here” or “you can succeed only if you do things this way” syndrome. While continuing to do activities that have “worked in the past” may seem less risky and efficient, it is prudent to pause and think from time-to-time about the efficacy of the activities that we may be engaged in our lives, lest we become a Follame Beetle!
While Action Bias is a desired leadership competency, never mistake “Activity” for “Accomplishment”. “Moving” is not necessarily “Going Somewhere”. And if you’re going nowhere, running will not get you there any faster. The desired results should determine the activities that you are engaged in. Doing the same thing repeatedly will not produce different results.
When you are trying to solve an Adaptive Problem, Goal Setting and Review are important leadership competencies, as this is the only way to ensure that the activities that you are engaged in are the right activities that will help you achieve the desired result(s). In the absence of well thought-out goals and structured reviews, you may become a Follame Beetle.
Credits and suggested further reading:
https://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/3261/2/aesop-updated
https://www.scribd.com/book/206519311/Aesop-Updated