Complexity. Part True.

Considering the Whole.
What does the deterioration of thatch roofs by moth larvae after house spraying in the course of a malaria eradication program(me) have to do with complexity.
The story is everywhere. I did not believe it was true. Spent a while looking for a legitimate source. Still not sure even though I have found what must be considered legitimate sources. It is called different names in different places but the core of the story endures.

The fact that the details are so similar, almost identical, in the accounts made me think that it may not be a true story but rather an urban legend. It could have happened. Right so what is this about? Some of us may have heard of “Operation Cat Drop” It is presented as happening in the 1950’s in Borneo. Cats, Geckos, Catapillers, Rats and Parachutes are involved.
http://www.strange-loops.com/scicatdrop.html

Forty years ago malaria was the scourge of the Dayak people of Borneo. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) sprayed DDT to kill the malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The mosquitoes died, but so too did parasitic wasps that had controlled thatch-eating caterpillars; roofs collapsed. Other DDT-poisoned insects were eaten by geckos, which were eaten by cats. When the cats died, the rats flourished, and the Dayak people were suddenly faced with outbreaks of typhus and plague. In response, WHO parachuted 14,000 cats into Borneo. That is the metropolis version http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0498/ap98man.htm

The story is everywhere. Except any WHO or health related sites. It is referred to in reminding us to consider the effects of what we do and to remember that there may be unintended consequences of even small actions. whole systems, complexity and all that.
I was concerned that because the versions that I was seeing were very similar and mostly from websites of individuals that it was an urban legend. is it true? Did it actually happen? The times magazine archive link suggests so. Is it a parable? Honestly I don’t think so. I found this but no abstract available. Deterioration of thatch roofs by moth larvae after house spraying in the course of a malaria eradication programme in North Borneo. Bull World Health Organ. 1963; 28:136-7. I have not yet been able to get my hands on the article to see exactly what is says. What I do know is that it is a reminder of the interconnectedness of things. Of the complexity of living things and systems. http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,901002,00.html