A Moth Named After Trump

The Golden-Haired

Neopalpa donaldtrumpi

We’ve all heard the name Donald Trump a lot, especially with the upcoming U.S. elections on November 5, 2024. But while there are plenty of stories swirling around about him, today we’re diving into something a little different: a tiny moth named after Trump, thanks to its resemblance to his iconic hairstyle. Yes, you read that right. Meet Neopalpa donaldtrumpi (네오팔파 도널드트럼피), a moth so small that it barely measures the size of your thumbnail but has gained worldwide fame due to its name.

resemblance - 유사성, 닮음 swirling - 소용돌이치는, 혼란스러운 dive into - 깊이 파고들다, 본격적으로 다루다 thumbnail - 엄지손톱, 작은 크기

 

Contents
1. Discovery of the Moth 
2. What Does Neopalpa donaldtrumpi Look like? 
3. Where Does This Moth Live? 
4. Famous Bugs and Beasts Named After Celebrities 

 

Source : bbc.com

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1. The Discovery of the Moth

This special moth was discovered back in 2017 by Canadian entomologist Vazrick Nazari. While studying moths of the Neopalpa genus, Nazari noticed that one of the moths differed from the already known Neopalpa neonata. He focused closely on the moth’s genital structure, and that small difference led to the identification of a brand-new species.

 

But the real twist came when Nazari decided to give the moth its unique name. The yellowish-white scales on the moth’s head reminded him of Donald Trump’s famous golden hair, so he named it Neopalpa donaldtrumpi. His goal wasn’t just to be clever, but to raise awareness about the fragile ecosystems of Southern California and Northern Mexico that are under threat due to urban expansion.

• entomologist - 곤충학자 • genus - 속 (생물 분류) • genital - 생식기의 • species - 종 • twist - 반전, 예상치 못한 전개 • scale - 비늘 • fragile - 취약한, 연약한 • urban expansion - 도시 확장

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2. What Does Neopalpa donaldtrumpi Look Like?

This moth may be small, but it sure leaves an impression. With wings barely over 1 cm long, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi sports wings that mix orange and yellow tones with dark brown edging. Its head is covered in pale yellowish scales, which strikingly resemble Trump’s trademark hairdo. Though it’s closely related to Neopalpa neonata, there are a few key differences. For instance, the male N. donaldtrumpi has smaller genital structures, and females have very few tiny hairs. Despite its size, this moth packs a punch when it comes to its unique appearance.

Source : Wikipedia

• edging - 가장자리, 테두리 • instance - 사례, 예 • genital - 생식기의 • pack a punch - 강한 인상을 주다

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3. Where Does This Moth Live?

You’ll mostly find Neopalpa donaldtrumpi in Southern California and Northern Mexico, especially in Riverside and Imperial counties. But here’s the catch: the moth’s natural habitat is under threat from urban development. This was one of the reasons why Nazari chose to name it after Trump—to highlight the importance of protecting these delicate ecosystems.

• county - 군, 지방 자치구 • catch - 함정, 문제점 • natural habitat - 자연 서식지 • under threat - 위협받고 있는 • urban development - 도시 개발 • delicate ecosystem - 연약한 생태계

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4. Famous Bugs and Beasts Named After Celebrities

As odd as it may seem to name a moth after a celebrity, this isn’t the first time scientists have paid homage to famous people through species names. Here are some other cool examples:

 

✔ Barack Obama’s Species: A whopping nine species have been named after former President Barack Obama! One of the coolest is Aptostichus barackobamai (앱토스티쿠스 바락오바마이), a trapdoor spider from California. It was named in honor of Obama’s environmental contributions.

 

✔ Jennifer Lopez’s Mite: Litarachna lopezae (리타라크나 로페자에) is a mite named after the one and only Jennifer Lopez. Discovered during a 2014 ocean survey, it was a nod to the music the scientists listened to while conducting their research.

 

✔ Beyoncé’s Horsefly: Scaptia beyonceae (스캅티아 비욘세아이), a horsefly from Australia, was named after Beyoncé because of the golden hairs on its abdomen that reminded researchers of the singer’s glamorous style.

Source : Wikipedia

• odd - 이상한, 특이한 • celebrity - 유명인 • pay homage to - 경의를 표하다 • whopping - 엄청난 • trapdoor spider - 덫문거미 • environmental contribution - 환경 기여 • mite - 진드기 • nod - (경의를 표하는) 표시, 암시 • horsefly - 말파리 • abdomen - 배(신체 부위) • glamorous - 매혹적인, 화려한

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Beyond the Name

Naming a species after a celebrity may seem like fun, but there’s often a bigger message behind it. In the case of Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, it’s about drawing attention to the fragile habitats in Southern California and Northern Mexico that face increasing threats from urban sprawl. These areas are home to many undiscovered species, and we must remember to protect them before it’s too late.

 

This tiny moth isn’t just a quirky nod to a political figure. It’s a reminder of the delicate balance in nature, one we need to preserve for future generations. Even the smallest creatures carry stories that should never be overlooked. Let’s hope this story inspires more people to care about the environment and the wildlife that depends on it.

• beyond - ~을 넘어서 • draw attention to - ~에 주목하다 • urban sprawl - 도시 확장 • quirky - 독특한, 기이한 • political figure - 정치적 인물 • reminder - 상기시키는 것 • delicate balance - 미묘한 균형 • overlook - 간과하다, 무시하다