Reasearcher says fly is “bootylicious”
A horse fly recently discovered in Australia has such a distinct backside that 24-year-old researcher Bryan Lessard deemed it “bootylicious”. He decided the insect should be named Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, according to The Associated Press.
The fly is called the “gold bum fly” by locals, due to the golden hair that grows on the insect’s posterior. The species was first captured three decades ago in northeast Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, and the sample has been sitting in a fly collection since 1981. Lessard says he was unable to find any live specimens in 2010 when he went looking in the same territory.
Lessard said he wanted to “pay respect to the insect’s beauty,” and that Beyonce will now be in nature history books forever. The eccentric researcher also wanted to “draw attention to the importance of his field and the need for more researchers.”
“Horse flies are vital pollinators of native plants, not just in Australia, but all over the world,” Lessard said. “It’s extremely important to name all the undescribed species so we can measure our human impact on the environment and hopefully protect it for future generations to enjoy.”
Lessard has not heard from Beyonce.
Read more here.
