13 Newly Discovered Creatures Named After Celebrities
Some scientists name their discoveries after crushes. Others use them to insult comedians.
![13 Newly Discovered Creatures Named After Celebrities](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/1/803301_320x180.jpg)
We've just discovered when scientists discover a new creature, they love to have fun with the “Etymology” portion of their scientific papers. One paper included: “Named after the senior author’s favourite film actor Brad Pitt, whose poster adorned the wall of her laboratory during her doctoral studies.” Come on, scientists are just like us…but smarter!
We included a photo when it was available in public domain, but most of these creatures are so rare we had to use just the famous face.
Beyonce's Fly
![BEYONCE Scaptia beyonceae INC The fly was named after Beyonce in 2011...for its gold booty. A little offensive, a little honorific. But mostly we're just mad she doesn't have a bee named after her yet. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/0/803300.jpg)
Source: CSIRO
Carmen Electra's Fly
![CARMEN ELECTRA Carmenelectra shechisme Au The extinct fly genus was named after the model. The singular species within the genus (sounding a lot like she kiss me) is a pretty strange way to flirt, but shoot your shot, scientists. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/6/803296.jpg)
Source: Zookeys
Steve Irwin's Snail
![STEVE IRWIN Crikey steveirwini This snail has our vote for cutest scientific name, mostly because the rare snail got a whole genus to itself. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/3/803293.jpg)
Source: ABC.net
Brad Pitt's Wasp
![BRAD PITT Conobregma bradpitti A wasp species was named after the senior author's favourite film actor Brad Pitt, whose poster adorned the wall of her laboratory during her doctoral studies. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/4/803294.jpg)
Source: Zookeys
Bill Gates' Fly
![BILL GATES Eristalis gatesi Some scientist decided that Bill Gates being a well-known billionaire wasn't enough recognition so they named a fly after him. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/8/803298.jpg)
Lady Gaga's Treehopper
![LADY GAGA Kaikaia gaga In addition to this well-adorned treehopper, Lady Gaga has a wasp, fern, and even an even-toed ungulate named after her. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/9/803299.jpg)
Source: Illinois
Jennifer Lopez's Mite
![JENNIFER LOPEZ Litarachna lopezae The aquatic mite was discovered in Puerto Rico. Jennifer Lopez is also Puerto Rican, but the similarities stop there. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/7/803297.jpg)
Source: ZooKeys
Angelina Jolie's Spider
![ANGELINA JOLIE Aptostichus angelinajolieae It seems like it would take a Jennifer Aniston grudge-holding fan to create this namesake for a spider who seizes their prey by leaping out and injecting it with venom but supposedly it was in honor of her work for the U.N. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/2/803292.jpg)
Source: Systematic Biology
Leonardo DiCaprio's Beetle
![LEONARDO DICAPRIO Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi The beetle was named after the actor to acknowledge his inspiring work in promoting environmental awareness and bringing the problems of climate change. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/5/803295.jpg)
Source: Zookeys
Bono's Spider
![BONO Aptostichus bonoi The spider was discovered in Joshua Tree National Park and named after the singer for U2's album The Joshua Tree. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/1/803291.jpg)
Source: Rolling Stone
Stephen Colbert's Beetle
![STEPHEN COLBERT Agaporomorphus colberti The Venezuelan diving beetle was named after comedian Stephen Colbert in 2009. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/0/803290.jpg)
Source: ASU
Spider-Men's Spiders
![ANDREW GARFIELD Pritha garfieldi The spider was named after Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield. Don't worry, Tobey Maguire fans. He's got a spider named after him too: Filistata maguirei. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/7/803287.jpg)
Source: Journals of KMK
Conan O'Brien's Worm
![CONAN O'BRIEN Carcinonemertes conanobrieni The ribbon worm was named after comedian Conan O'Brien because The physical similarities between the new species and Mr. O'Brien are remarkable; both exhibit a long and pale soma with slight tints of orange. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/8/803288.jpg)
Source: PLoS One