The 'Bootylicious' Horse Fly has been named after pop icon Beyonce. According to researcher Bryan Lessard, the golden bottom that the horse fly so distinctively sports was synonymous with the "bootylicious" nature of Madame Knowles. Moreover, the species was captured for examination in 1981, the same year in which Beyonce was born.
Although the Washington Post confirms that Beyonce has not commented on the name 'Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae,' the official title of the horse fly, Lessard hopes that he will draw some much-needed attention to his field of study by providing the insect with celebrity status.
What's most shocking about the 'Bootylicious' Horse Fly is that this is not the first time that an insect has been named after a celebrity. In 2008, an odd looking beetle was named after rock icon Roy Orbison and his wife Barbara, technically termed the 'Orectochilus orbisonorum' beetle. That same year, a trapdoor spider was named after Canadian legend Neil Young, the favorite artist of East Carolina University biologist Jason Bond.
This trend in celebrity insect naming suggests a connection between the world of science and the world of music: two seemingly independent spheres.
Popstar-Inspired Insects
The 'Bootylicious' Horse Fly in Australia is Named After Beyonce
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity-inspired Naming of Insects - There is an opportunity for companies that provide insect naming services to offer celebrity-inspired insect names as a fun and attention-grabbing marketing strategy.
2. Merging of Science and Entertainment - Innovation opportunities exist for companies that can bridge the gap between the seemingly unrelated worlds of science and entertainment and create new and exciting crossover products and experiences.
3. Marketing by Association - Businesses can benefit from using celebrity associations to promote products that might not be inherently related to the celebrity or their field, but have a connection that can make for a successful marketing campaign.
Industry Implications
1. Entomology Research - Companies and institutions involved in entomology research can benefit from the increased awareness of the field through celebrity-inspired naming, potentially sparking interest in this scientific discipline.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising companies can explore the use of celebrity associations in promotion and branding, offering clients fresh and innovative ways to draw attention to their products and services.
3. Music and Entertainment - Music and entertainment companies may find new opportunities in collaborating with the scientific community, merging the worlds of science and entertainment to create unique products and experiences for consumers.