New genus of bugs in Australia named after Taylor Swift — Mongabay
Scientists in Australia have described a new genus of plant bugs, Swiftiephylus, named after American singer Taylor Swift. The new genus includes 12 newly identified insect species, Mongabay reports.
Names in honor of Swift and her albums
Four species received names directly connected to the singer or her work: Swiftiephylus taylorae, Swiftiephylus amator, Swiftiephylus intrepidus and Swiftiephylus poetorum. The name taylorae is a Latinized form of the name Taylor, while the other three refer to the albums Lover, Fearless and The Tortured Poets Department.
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, dedicated the genus name to Swift, recognizing her talent, song lyrics, and the joy and support her work has brought to many people. The term Swiftie is used to refer to the singer's fans.
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Coloration and habitat
Study co-author Sarah Schroeder, who describes herself as a Swift fan, said the insects' appearance also influenced the choice of name. The bugs are pale yellow with red accents, resembling the combination of blonde hair and red lipstick associated with the singer.
According to Schroeder, this coloration may camouflage the insects among the slender red and orange flowers where they live. Members of Swiftiephylus feed on trees and shrubs in Australia and are not considered known agricultural pests.
The new genus belongs to the Miridae family, the largest family of true bugs, with more than 11,000 species described worldwide. The insect specimens were collected between 1995 and 2004 and were later borrowed from museum collections for a formal scientific description.
