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Four new species, one pop star: The new insect genus named after…

The new genus covers four newly identified insect species, and it puts a pop star's name into the scientific record; the bugs were not consulted.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on Weekend Edition
Published
Photo: iHeartRadioCA · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on this story, from Weekend Edition at 6:33 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Indian Express's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Taylor Swift
Photo: iHeartRadioCA · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

  1. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTime to pay that off: scientists have named a new insect genus after Taylor Swift, and it covers four newly identified species, according to The Indian Express.

  2. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIsn't that lovely? A pop star gets her name in the scientific record, and the bugs get a very famous landlord.

  3. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAllow me to name the genus of this story properly: Headlinus overeagerus.

  4. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA whole new branch of life, and the first thing we do is make it a fan club.

  5. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFour species.

  6. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd each one gets a little piece of the legend. I'd be flattered if a beetle carried my name around.

  7. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorYou'd be flattered, Vera, because it would finally be something that follows you everywhere without asking for a podcast episode.

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The story so far

  1. Taylor Swift's 'Patient Zero' holds at No. 1 for a second week · Variety
  2. Taylor Swift Cozies Up to Husband Travis Kelce in Newly Released… · Yahoo
  3. Kelce cheers on Swift in new Patient Zero video set footage · Page Six
  4. How 'Taylor Swift effect' explains Caitlin Clark's WNBA popularity · Yahoo Sports
  5. Mahomes status, Stoudemire's badge and Emmitt Smith on Swift · Fox News
  6. NYers perplexed by voting mailer touting candidate who 'prayed to be… · New York Post
  7. Four new species, one pop star: The new insect genus named after… (this story)

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Photo: Photo by Max Morse for TechCrunch TechCrunch · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
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