A beetle named Hitler: The case to change offensive animal, plant names Premium

The species was named by amateur Austrian entomologist Oskar Scheibel as a tribute to Adolf Hitler. who had just become Germany’s chancellor and would go on to become a brutal dictator.

Taxonomy is the science of describing, classifying and naming organisms. It organises the vast diversity of life on Earth. Species are grouped based on shared characteristics, providing a system that allows scientists to understand and communicate about the natural world.

Naming species is no simple task: a scientist doesn’t just assign a name and call it a day. Taxonomy is a carefully structured process governed by strict international rules such as the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants.

Based on these rules, each species receives a unique scientific name, often derived from Latin or Greek. One of the most important features of taxonomy is binomial nomenclature. This two-part naming system was introduced by the renowned Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. For example, while the house cat is known by various names in different languages its universal scientific name is Felis catus. This consistent naming system ensures that scientists can communicate unambiguously even if they speak different languages.

When scientists discover a new species, they are responsible for naming it, following the international naming conventions. These names frequently reflect the species’ physical characteristics, habitat or behaviour. Others are inspired by cultural or historical events. They may honour a person, place, or even a mythological figure. It makes taxonomy not just a technical field but also a fascinating narrative about the natural world.

Some species have recently been named after politicians and musical celebrities. There’s Scaptia beyonceae (a horsefly named for singer Beyoncé Knowles), Singafrotypa mandela (a spider, named for global statesman Nelson Mandela) and Neopalpa donaldtrumpi (a moth, named for incoming US president Donald Trump).

That is why we say taxonomy does not exist in a vacuum. It is deeply entwined with history and society – and many species have names that reflect outdated or harmful biases.

One example is Anophthalmus hitleri, a blind beetle. The species was named by amateur Austrian entomologist Oskar Scheibel as a tribute to Adolf Hitler. who had just become Germany’s chancellor and would go on to become a brutal dictator. Today the beetle is critically endangered, partly because of its appeal to those who collect Nazi memorabilia.