BLAZE OF GLORY

PHEW! The Gold Coast has dodged an insect world bullet.

Masses of hairy processionary caterpillars on the march in the bush and back yards right now will burrow underground and not emerge until spring as bag-shelter moths.

That means that unlike the Sydney Olympics 18 years ago, when huge swarms of bogong moths hatched and filled the sky above the Homebush stadium each night, our Gold Coast Commonwealth Games stadiums should be moth-free.

Back in 2000, Sydney officials had to use industrial vacuums and blowers to clear that athletics track each morning of the dead moths that had gone out in a blaze of glory the night before, when they hurled themselves against the stadium lights or came to grief in the Olympic flame.

But over the next two weeks, swimming and athletics competitors lining up in the open air at night under the lights at the Gold Coast’s showpiece venues should not have to worry about gulping in a mouthful of moth. Yet again, the Gold Coast is on a winner. On with the Games!