New Butterflies named for Sauron!

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New Butterflies Are Named for Sauron, ‘Lord of the Rings’ Villain https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/science/sauron-butterfly-species.html?unlocke...

I'm not sure I see the eye of Sauron on this wings, but we all know the evil butterflies do in the world when they are stepped on.

They're kind of meh. Google Milbert's Tortoiseshell - it has way more distinct "eyes of Sauron" on the tops of it's wings, although it's not a new species and doesn't need a new name. One of my favourite local butterflies, though.

>2 MrsLee: Hah! Exactly!

>3 tardis: I was just excited about the name.

>4 clamairy: It is a cool name. I wonder what other species have been named for Tolkien and/or his characters? I have a sea holly called 'Blue Hobbit.'

And then I had to google it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_things_named_after_J._R._R._Tolkien_and_hi...
I like that there's a star called Earendel.

>5 tardis: Thank you for that! I had no idea...

That star name is also my favorite thing. It is the most distant known star. How wonderful is that?

I don't suppose that we'll get a seahorse named Morgoth, or a pigmy possum named Shelob, more's the pity.

>6 clamairy: The problem with that is that it won't stay the most distant known star for long

>8 jjwilson61: I can live with that.

Don't give up hope. Maybe the world will end soon.

>10 MrAndrew: There's a pretty high likelihood that at least humanity will! I just wish we weren't taking so many species with us...

>8 jjwilson61: >11 clamairy: And here I was, worried that the star was looming closer and closer...

>8 jjwilson61: >9 clamairy: >10 MrAndrew: I regret to inform you that Armageddon never comes when you could really use it.

>12 ScoLgo: Ha!
>13 jillmwo: The sad truth...