Holy moth-er of God!
Scientists have discovered a new species of moth found only on the Greek island of Crete — and named it after Pope Leo XIV to honor his advocacy for the environment.
Pyralis papaleonei — Pope Leo moth — was recently spotted by sharp-eyed entomologists who buzzed about their papal tribute in an April 28 study published in Nota Lepidopterologica, a journal specializing in moths and butterflies.
“We hope that his voice may serve as an example for humanity,” the authors wrote.
The moth features striking purple forewings with an orange-golden spot and prominent white stripes, and was found exclusively in the White Mountains in the western part of Crete. Most specimens were collected at elevations between 3,281 and 3,937 feet.
The new species had actually been in scientific databases for years but was misidentified as a related species, “Pyralis kacheticalis,” which means “the moth from Kakheti.”
But, according to the scientific paper, after experts took a closer look at both the moths’ physical traits and their DNA, they realized they’d been lumping the two species together when they were actually genetically different.
Researchers analyzed around 100 specimens, including 45 individuals of the new species, using both physical examination and DNA barcoding, which is a short genetic sequence to identify species.
The insects have been observed near artificial light sources and they appear to be most active in June — but so far, little is known about their habits and habitat.
Other species carry names referencing royalty or nobility — including “Pyralis regalis,” “Pyralis cardinalis,” “Pyralis imperialis,” and “Pyralis princeps” — so the naming fits a long-standing tradition within this taxonomical group, according to the study.
About 700 moth species are discovered every year, although most are located in tropical habitats.
“We are facing a global biodiversity crisis, yet only a fraction of the world’s species has been scientifically documented,” explained Peter Heumer, the former head of Austria’s Tyrolean State Museums’ natural science collections and a study co-author.
“Effective conservation of biodiversity requires that species are first recognized, described, and named.”
Pope Leo XIV, who recently marked his one-year anniversary as the first American pope in history, joins an exclusive club of celebrities immortalized in the insect world.
A millipede found in the Appalachian Mountains in April 2022 was named “Nannaria swiftae” for pop star Taylor Swift and a newly discovered snake in the Western Himalayas was named after Leonardo DiCaprio in 2024. The serpent is called the Anguiculus dicaprioi.
A team of scientists honored superstar Brad Pitt in 2016 by naming a new species of parasitic wasp discovered in South Africa after him. The wasp species was given the name Conobregma bradpitti, according to Sci.News.
A previously unnamed species of horsefly in 2012 was given the name Scaptia beyonceae by researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, Live Science reported. Researchers opted to name the insect after iconic singer Beyoncé because it is the “all-time diva of flies.”
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