Tiny moth with distinctive ‘hairdo’ named after Trump

LOS ANGELES — A tiny moth has been named after Donald Trump partly because of its distinctive ‘hairdo’ which resembles that of the president-elect.

The minuscule creature, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was discovered by Canadian scientist Vazrick Nazari who said he was struck by the resemblance of the golden scales on the head of the moth to Mr Trump’s signature hairstyle.

He said he also named the new species, which measures about 9mm, after the incoming president to focus attention on ecological issues.

“The reason for this choice of name is to bring wider public attention to the need to continue protecting fragile habitats in the US that still contain many undescribed species,” Dr Nazari wrote in a review of the species published on Tuesday (Jan 17).

The newly discovered moth, the first animal to bear Mr Trump’s name, is native to southern California but its habitat extends to Baja California in Mexico.

According to Live Science, President Barack Obama has had nine species named after him, more than any other US president.

They include a coral reef fish native to Hawaii and a trapdoor spider.

Last year, a caterpillar found in the Peruvian Amazon was informally named “Trumpapillar” because its orange-yellow furry cover resembled Mr Trump’s hairdo. AFP