The Story Behind Walangsangit Photos, Traces of Memories in the Rice Fields

This time, I want to share some photos of insects that I took in the rice fields some time ago. This moment brought me back to the memories of the rice planting season full of life in the countryside. These photos have actually been stored on my hard disk for a long time, and I just found them again when I was cleaning up old files.

Kali ini, aku ingin membagikan beberapa foto serangga yang pernah kuambil di sawah beberapa waktu lalu. Momen ini membawa aku kembali ke ingatan tentang musim tanam padi yang penuh kehidupan di pedesaan. Foto-foto ini sebenarnya sudah lama tersimpan di hard disk-ku, dan baru saja kutemukan lagi ketika sedang membersihkan file-file lama.

The insects that I photographed are known as Walangsangit or scientifically called Leptocorisa oratorius. For farmers, these winged insects are a big enemy. They are considered pests because they often damage growing rice plants, suck the liquid from young rice grains, and drastically reduce the harvest. However, behind their status as pests, I always see another interesting side of these little creatures.

Serangga-serangga yang kupotret ini dikenal sebagai Walangsangit atau dalam bahasa ilmiah disebut Leptocorisa oratorius. Bagi petani, serangga bersayap ini adalah musuh besar. Mereka dianggap hama karena sering merusak tanaman padi yang sedang bertumbuh, menghisap cairan dari bulir-bulir padi muda, dan membuat hasil panen berkurang drastis. Namun, di balik statusnya sebagai hama, aku selalu melihat sisi lain yang menarik dari makhluk kecil ini.

That day, I was walking on the rice field embankment when the planting season arrived. The sky was clear, the wind was blowing gently, and the distinctive aroma of wet soil filled the air. The farmers looked busy, joking while planting rice seedlings under the hot sun. In between their activities, I saw a small movement between the rice leaves. A Walangsangit perched on the tip of a leaf, its wings reflecting the glimmer of sunlight.

Hari itu, aku sedang berjalan di pematang sawah saat musim tanam tiba. Langit cerah, angin bertiup lembut, dan aroma khas tanah basah memenuhi udara. Para petani terlihat sibuk, bercanda sambil menanam bibit padi di bawah terik matahari. Di sela-sela aktivitas mereka, aku melihat gerakan kecil di sela dedaunan padi. Seekor Walangsangit hinggap di ujung daun, sayapnya memantulkan kilau cahaya mentari.

Without thinking, I took my camera and started taking pictures. I tried to get closer slowly, trying to capture the details of its slender body, its wings that looked like thin glass, and its brown color that seemed to blend in with nature. Several times, it flew away, making me have to be patient to wait for the right moment.

Tanpa pikir panjang, aku mengambil kameraku dan mulai memotret. Aku berusaha mendekat perlahan, mencoba menangkap detail tubuhnya yang ramping, sayapnya yang terlihat seperti kaca berlapis tipis, dan warna cokelatnya yang seolah menyatu dengan alam. Beberapa kali, ia terbang pergi, membuatku harus bersabar untuk menunggu momen yang tepat.

There is something strange but captivating in photographing insects like Walangsangit. Although often considered as destroyers, they are also part of a complex ecosystem. Perhaps, when I take pictures, I try to find a way to appreciate their existence, although some people, especially farmers, see them differently.

Ada sesuatu yang aneh tapi memikat dalam memotret serangga seperti Walangsangit ini. Meski sering dianggap sebagai perusak, mereka juga bagian dari ekosistem yang kompleks. Mungkin, saat aku memotret, aku mencoba mencari cara untuk menghargai keberadaan mereka, walaupun sebagian orang, terutama para petani, melihatnya dengan pandangan berbeda.

So, here are some photos of Walangsangit that I want to share today. Hopefully you can see their uniqueness as I see them through my camera lens. Although they are pests to rice, to my camera and eyes, they are the perfect subjects for a small work of art in nature.

Jadi, inilah beberapa foto Walangsangit yang ingin kubagikan hari ini. Semoga kalian dapat melihat keunikan mereka seperti yang kulihat melalui lensa kameraku. Meski mereka hama bagi padi, bagi kamera dan mataku, mereka adalah subjek yang sempurna untuk sebuah karya seni kecil di alam.