PEOPLE - Taylor Swift has received an unlikely new honor recognizing her prolific career. She has become the namesake of a recently discovered insect species.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the Insect Systematics and Evolution journal released a new study, “New genera and species of Australian sheoak-associated plant bugs,” announcing the discovery of 12 new plant-eating insect species. The study also revealed that the discovery warranted a new genus name, earning the Grammy winner the honor of serving as inspiration.
The Australian-based genus has been named Swiftiephylus, and it includes four species named in Latin after the artist and several of her albums: Swiftiephylus taylorae (Taylor), Swiftiephylus amator (lover), Swiftiephylus intrepidus (fearless) and Swiftiephylus poetorum (poets).
Researcher and co-author Sarah Schroeder said, “It felt authentic to me as a lifelong Swiftie to honor Taylor in this way, as well as bring attention to the diversity of insects that has yet to be discovered.”
Schroeder is a UC Riverside doctoral student in entomology, according to a UCR news release.