New insect species 'Swiftiephylus' named for Taylor Swift

A scientist at the University of California Riverside paid tribute to Taylor Swift by naming a new insect genus after the pop star.

The name combines "Swiftie," the term for Swift's fans, with "Phylus," a name commonly used for this group of plant-eating insects.

Swiftiephylus includes four species named in Latin after the artist and several of her albums, including Lover, Fearless and The Tortured Poets Department.

The insects' pale yellow and red coloring reminded researchers of Swift's blonde hair and red lips.