New Insect Species Honor Taylor Swift with Unique Names

In an unusual tribute to pop culture, several newly identified species of plant-eating insects from Australia have been named after the global superstar Taylor Swift. This recognition comes from researchers at the University of California, Riverside, who published their findings in the journal 'Insect Systematics and Evolution.'

Among the twelve new species, one genus has been cleverly dubbed Swiftiephylus, merging the term 'Swiftie,' which refers to Taylor Swift's fans, with 'Phylus,' a common designation in entomology. Four specific species within this genus carry names that reflect Swift's influence, such as Swiftiephylus taylorae and Swiftiephylus amator, which translate to 'Taylor' and 'lover' in Latin, respectively.

Sarah Schroeder, a doctoral student in entomology, spearheaded the initiative to name these insects after Swift. She aims to raise awareness about insect conservation while celebrating the artist's cultural impact. Notably, the insects' pale yellow and red coloration is reminiscent of Swift’s iconic appearance, which Schroeder describes as 'blonde with accents of red.' The new species, belonging to the family Miridae, are not considered pests and have been awaiting formal classification for decades.

Source: variety.com