A newly discovered species of moth found in the United States and Mexico was named after Donald Trump.
Neopalpa Donaldtrumpi
The new moth was named after Trump because the adult features yellowish-white scales on the head resembling the hair of the U.S. President-elect.
Named Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, the moth was formally presented in the journal ZooKeys on Jan. 17, just a few days ahead before Trump will be sworn into office as 45th president of the United States on Friday, Jan. 20.
N. donaldtrumpi is one of two species within a genus of twirler moths. The newly-named moth and its relative can be found throughout Southern California and across the Mexico-U.S. border in Baja California, Mexico.
Uncanny Resemblance To Donald Trump's Hairstyle
Evolutionary biologist Vazrick Nazari discovered the specimens of the new species while going through the moth collection of the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis. The researcher stumbled upon some specimens that did not match the characteristics of any previously known species.
Thorough analysis of the moths and using materials from other institutions, Nazari later confirmed he found the second species of a genus of twirler moths.
Although the two species share the same habitat, it is easy to tell them apart. The newly discovered species stands out because of the yellowish-white scales that can be found on its head. It is this feature that the scientist found to have an uncanny resemblance to Trump's signature hairstyle.
Nazari hopes that the name of the new species will bring attention to the importance of conservation efforts particularly in fragile areas including the habitat of the moths.
The researcher said that the discovery of the moth in densely-populated areas and in zoologically well-surveyed southern California highlights the importance of conserving fragile habitats that contain still undescribed and potentially threatened species.
"By naming this species after the 45th President of the United States, I hope to bring some public attention to, and interest in, the importance of alpha-taxonomy in better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity," Nazari said.
Scientists Naming New Species After U.S. Presidents
Trump's flying namesake was formally presented only a month after a species of coral reef fish was named after his predecessor President Barack Obama. The fish, Tosanoides obama, was discovered during a research expedition by NOAA scientists at the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in June.
Eight other creatures have been named after Obama namely the Aptostichus barackobamai, a trapdoor spider; Etheostoma Obama, a spangled darter; Obamadon gracillis, an extinct insectivorous lizard; the hairworm Paragordius obamai; Baracktrema obamai, a turtle blood fluke; Nystalus obamai, a western striolated puffbird; and the African cichlid species Teleogramma obamaorum.
Obama to date is the U.S. president with most number of species named after him. He is followed by Theodore Roosevelt who has seven species named after him.
It is highly likely that Trump's name would also become a favorite in the field of Taxonomy during his term as next president of America.
