Scientists in California have named a newly discovered moth species after President-elect Donald Trump, saying the white and yellow scales on the insect's head are reminiscent of Trump's blond hairdo.
The Sacramento Bee reports that a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, on the new species became available Tuesday. The California moth is named Neopalpa donadltrumpi.
Dr. Vazrick Nazari, an evolutionary biologist, discovered the species while dissecting moths. He noticed that three specimens had a distinct wing pattern and unique DNA profile. He chose the name in part to bring awareness to fragile habitats that may contain undiscovered species.
So I named a species after @realDonaldTrump. Maybe now he'll make conservation of fragile US ecosystems a priority?https://t.co/jetz83AHaC
— Vazrick Nazari (@vazrick) January 17, 2017
Naming newly-discovered species after famous people is nothing new. Nine species have been named in honor of President Barack Obama, including an ancient lizard and a coral reef fish.
