New moth: Neopalpa donaldtrumpi

[naoki]

http://blog.pensoft.net/2017/01/17/...-trump-ahead-of-his-swearing-in-as-president/

Somehow, entomologists like to do this kind of thing. Sorry for the moth to be named after someone like this! Previous ones for Bush, Chaney and Rumsfeld, were more appropriate (slime mold eating beetles).
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2005/04/slime-mold-beetles-named-bush-cheney-rumsfeld

 

[Lanmark]

A miniscule moth with a wingspan of just 0.4 inches is the first species to be named for the soon-to-be president of the United States, Donald Trump.

Yellow and white scales topping the moth's head resemble Trump's signature hairstyle, inspiring the name Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, wrote evolutionary biologist Vazrick Nazari, a researcher from Ottowa, Canada, in a new study.

The moth's habitat extends from Southern California in the U.S. through Baja California in Mexico. The wall that the president-elect has proposed building along the border between the two countries could divide that stretch.

The shapes of certain folds and pouch-like structures on N. donaldtrumpi's genitalia were also unique to the species, Nazari wrote in the study.

It's part of the family of Twirler Moths known for their habit of twirling in circles when disturbed.

I think it's fitting. :rollhappy:

 

[SlipperFan]

There is also a physical resemblance to hair.

 

[abax]

Really an ugly little thing, isn't it? Nice to know the "bug
people" have a sense of humor.

 

[Secundino]

Not ugly at all. Don't feed the you-know-whos.

 

[naoki]

Thanks for the detail, Mark, I didn't know the other two reasons behind the name! Angela, most insects are beautiful (and kids know it)!

 

[abax]

Indeed they are Naoki. This is a dead specimen. Perhaps
alive they're much more beautiful. Oops! Didn't mean to
feed the you-know-whos. Didn't even think of it that way.

 

[emydura]

Clever way of trying to get this moths habitat saved. Lets hope it has the desired effect.