Nutty Nomenclature
All species of organism are given their own specific name by the taxonomist who first describes them. Every now and again the taxonomists allow themselves to have a little bit of fun. This is our guide to some more mischievously named species.
Name: Castnia inca dincadu
Don’t get it? There's no real meaning, just a great sound.
What is it? It's a moth that looks like a butterfly and flies around during the day. Why that doesn't make it a butterfly I just can't tell you.
Where is it found? Central America
When was it first named? 1972.
Who deserves the credit? Jaqueline Y. Miller, the curator of butterflies and moths at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Dr Miller is the first female taxonomist to grace the corridors of Nutty Nomenclature. Huzzah!
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Is there a picture? Here is the dinky inca dincadu. Actually they're not that dinky, species in this family are commonly known as giant butterfly-moths. Another closely related species goes by the name Tascina metallica - we can only assume this species is attracted to strobe lighting and thrashing guitar riffs.Check out some other strangely named animals here.
More regulars:
Monday: Phunny Phobias
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
Image: D. Yanega/W
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