# Naming of new Australian insect genus Swiftiephylus > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/naming-of-new-australian-insect-genus-swiftiephylus > Updated: 2026-09-13T01:13:04.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 2. Researchers have identified a new genus of Australian insects, named ‘Swiftiephylus’ in honor of pop star Taylor Swift. The genus, which belongs to the Miridae family, includes four specific species: Swiftiephylus taylorae, Swiftiephylus amator, Swiftiephylus intrepidus, and Swiftiephylus poetorum. These names were inspired by the singer and her albums, such as ‘Fearless’ and ‘The Tortured Poets Department’. Doctoral student Sarah Schroeder, from the University of California, Riverside, noted that the insects’ pale yellow bodies and red-orange accents reminded her of the singer’s aesthetic, specifically resembling ‘blonde hair and red lips’. This coloration also provides camouflage among the red-orange flowers of the Allocasuarina trees (she-oaks) where the bugs live. While the specimens were originally collected between 1995 and 2004 during a biodiversity project, they remained unidentified in scientific collections until this recent study. The naming was intended to draw public attention to insect biodiversity, the importance of conservation, and the vast number of species that remain undiscovered. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Taylor Swift honored with new insect genus name Scientists have named a new genus of Australian insects, Swiftiephylus, after Taylor Swift, using species names that reference her albums and her signature blonde and red aesthetic. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taylor-swift-inspires-naming-of-new-insect-genus-and-species ### 2026-09-09: Taylor Swift inspires naming of new Australian insect genus Scientists have named a new genus of Australian insects, Swiftiephylus, and four species after Taylor Swift and her albums to promote insect conservation awareness. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taylor-swift-inspires-naming-of-new-insect-genus-in-australia --- Cite as: Naming of new Australian insect genus Swiftiephylus. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/naming-of-new-australian-insect-genus-swiftiephylus