American scientists have named a new genus of leafhoppers discovered in Australia "Swiftiephylus" in honor of famous singer Taylor Swift. Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, have named the species within the new genus Swiftiephylus taylorae, Swiftiephylus amator, Swiftiephylus intrepidus, and Swiftiephylus poetorum.
The names are directly linked to the singer's name and her popular albums "Lover," "Fearless," and "The Tortured Poets Department." As researcher Sara Schroer noted, the choice of the name was driven by the insects' yellowish-red coloration, which is reminiscent of Swift's signature style: blonde hair and red lipstick.
This is not a novelty in the scientific world, as the singer's name has previously been used to name animals. Specifically, in 2022, scientists named a species of millipede in her honor, and in 2023, an ant-like spider species discovered in Costa Rica was also named after her.
The practice of naming animal species after famous individuals holds appeal among scientists as it helps increase public interest in biological research. In this case, Taylor Swift's name is not only a tribute but also an opportunity to engage a wider audience in the study of small, often overlooked insects.
It is important to understand that the naming is based not only on fandom but also on color resemblance, which shows how creative scientists can be in their work. It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue and if we will see creatures named after other celebrities in the future.
