Meet ‘Swiftiephylus’, The Tiny Australian Bugs Inspired By Taylor Swift

Researchers have named a new genus of Australian plant-feeding insects Swiftiephylus in tribute to Taylor Swift and her fans. Four species—Swiftiephylus taylorae, amator, intrepidus and poetorum—reference Taylor, Lover, Fearless and The Tortured Poets Department through Latinized names. UC Riverside doctoral researcher Sarah Schroeder, a lifelong Swiftie, helped classify the bugs and hopes the con