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: Sarucallis kahawaluokalani
Don’t get it? According to some sources, kahawaluokalani means "you fish on your side of the lagoon and I'll fish on the other, and no one will fish in the middle" which, for a 15-letter word, is no mean feat. However, more reliable sources reckon it means "The eight divisions of Heaven" which is much more poetic, if not quite so verbose.
What is it? An aphid. In fact it's the most important insect pest of crape myrtle in the US, whatever crape myrtle might be.
Where was it found? Originally it's from SE Asia. These days,however, wherever crape myrtle goes the aphid is sure to follow.
When was it first named? 1907
Who deserves the credit? British-American entomologist George Willis Kirkaldy. In 1912 Kirkaldy was criticised by the Zoological Society of London for his frivolous namings. Their rebuke was slightly pointless since Kirkaldy had died two years previously.
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Is there a picture? You can't be the crape myrtle's public enemy number one and avoid having you're picture splashed all over the Internet (click image to enlarge). The adult is in the centre and the little spiky fellow is a nymph. While they are a pest of myrtle crops, these aphids (like other species) produce honeydew which is a favourite food of some wasps, which also eat more damaging pests such as moth caterpillars. It has been shown that more aphids means more wasps, which could end up being a good thing for the farmers.Check out some other weird species names here.
Null's other regular features:
Monday: Phunny Phobias
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
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