What's in a Name? A Rose [Chafer Beetle] by any other name...

Rose Chafer Beetle
Cetonia aurata

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/collections/our-collections/cetonia-aurata/index.html

...would probably still not smell very sweet. However, the question is raised: what exactly IS in a name when it comes to insects? The answer might surprise you.

There is a quirky tradition in the organismal biology community whereby newly discovered species are named after famous people. Due to the overwhelming variety and the vast number of species that have yet to be discovered, it isn't surprising that a large portion of these creatively named creatures are in fact insects!

Over the years, insects have been named for actors and actresses (Charlie Chaplin, Harrison Ford, Kate Winslet, Liv Tyler, Arnold Schwarzenegger), political figures (Abraham Lincoln, George W. Bush, Benjamin Franklin, Adolf Hitler, Arnold Schwarzenegger), musical acts (rock bands and divas alike), philosophers, literary figures, composers, talk show hosts (Hi Ellen!)...if a profession has ever had any amount of power or prestige attached to it, it's included in this list. 

The full list of organisms named after famous people can be found here. Notable non-insect entries include a rabbit species named after Hugh Hefner and five trilobites named for each individual member of the Sex Pistols. Below are some of the more creative celebrity-insect namesakes.

Aleiodes shakirae
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleiodes_shakirae

Insect: Wasp

Namesake: Shakira

Fun fact: "Since parasitism by this species causes the host caterpillar to bend and twist its abdomen in various ways, and Shakira is also famous for her belly-dancing, the name seems particularly appropriate."

Preseucoila imallshookupis
http://www.greenerideal.com/lifestyle/entertainment/0126-celebrities-namesake-creatures/

Insect: Wasp

Namesake: Elvis Presley

Fun fact: The specific name is derived from the song "All Shook Up" recorded by Elvis

Nanocthulhu lovecrafti
http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Figitidae/Eucoilinae/Nanocthulhu/Nanocthuhlu_lovecrafti.htm

Insect: Wasp

Namesake: H. P. Lovecraft

Fun fact: The genus name invokes Lovecraft's character Cthulu

Liturgusa algorei
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/
la-sci-sn-praying-mantis-bark-photo-gallery-20-001-photo.html

Insect: Mantis

Namesake: Al Gore

Fun fact: Named for Gore's "environmental activism including his efforts to raise public awareness of global climate change."

Scaptia beyonceae
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45990587/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/
bootylicious-horse-fly-bling-named-after-beyonce/#.VG4OhYvF9B8

Insect: Fly

Namesake: Beyoncé Knowles

Fun fact: The horse fly was named after the singer and actress because of its striking golden behind.

Honorable Mention: Campsicnemus charliechaplini, named for Charlie Chaplin because it dies with its midlegs in a bandy-legged position.

And if you still need some convincing to begin enthusiastically studying insects, just imagine being the first person in the world to name a new species after Sexiest Man Alive, Chris Hemsworth! ~swoon~