New species of insects are described every day. Entomologists have difficulty keeping up with the new additions. The general public doesn’t usually pay attention. Recently Australian Entomologists Bryan D Lessard and David K Yeates splashed their discovery of 5 new species of Diptera, horse flies in the Genus, Scaptia, into the popular headlines. How did they grab the attention of the press? Creative naming, a good press release and a lot of cheek.
One of the flies, Scaptia beyonceae. was named after pop diva, Beyonce Knowles. The connection? Scaptia beyonceae has an unusual tuft of golden hair on the end of its abdomen, (the insect “booty”). Scaptia beyonceae truly has a “Bootylicious” abdomen. Bootylicious, a pop hit for Beyonce Knowles and Destiny’s Child captured the imagination of the public. Inspired by the song, Bootylicious, Lessard and Yeates decided to name the fly after Beyonce. Good choice and quite an honor for the muse.
The "Bootylicious" Horse Fly, Scaptia beyonceae
Photo: Bryan Lessard
Here is the inspirational video. Can you handle this?
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