Taylor Swift Becomes Namesake for New Australian Insect Genus

Key points

• Sarah Schroeder, a UC Riverside doctoral student, named a new genus of plant-feeding insects, Swiftiephylus, after Taylor Swift.
• The genus includes four species: S. taylorae, S. amator, S. intrepidus, and S. poetorum, referencing Swift and her albums Lover, Fearless, and The Tortured Poets Department.
• The insects were discovered in specimens collected in Australia between 1995 and 2004, which had been waiting decades for formal description.
• Schroeder chose Swift because the insects' pale yellow and red coloring resembles Swift's iconic blonde hair and red lips, which also helps them camouflage on she-oak flowers.
• The goal is to use Swift's popularity to draw attention to insect diversity and the critical role of taxonomy in conservation.

Background

This follows a trend of naming species after celebrities, such as Jeff Daniels, who was honored with a worm species in 2022. It also aligns with broader efforts to document the estimated 30 million undocumented insect species, a task Schroeder views as essential for conservation.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and UC Riverside focus on the scientific and conservation aspects, emphasizing the decades-long process of describing the specimens and the importance of taxonomy. Rolling Stone adds a cultural and personal dimension, highlighting Schroeder's lifelong fandom and the insects' physical resemblance to Swift's signature look. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis, with Rolling Stone providing more detail on the insects' biology and Schroeder's personal connection to Swift.

Why it matters

The story illustrates how pop culture can be leveraged to raise awareness about scientific endeavors, particularly in fields like taxonomy that are often overlooked. It also underscores the ongoing challenge of documenting Earth's biodiversity, with millions of species still unknown to science.

What to watch

Schroeder plans to continue her work in taxonomy, potentially in a museum setting, to discover and describe more new species. The long-term impact will depend on whether the Swift connection successfully raises public interest in insect conservation.