A new species named after Guillermo del Toro

A new species of firefly discovered in Mexico has been named after Oscar-winning director and recent nominee Guillermo del Toro, thanks to the discovery by a group of entomologists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“Photinus guillermodeltoroi” is the scientific name of this firefly that lives in the forests of the Sierra de Tapalpa, in the south of the western state of Jalisco, where Del Toro was born, explained Geovanni Rodríguez, an academic from the Faculty. interview with EFE for higher studies Zaragoza, UNAM.

He entomologistdevoted to the study of insects, he explained that the idea of ​​an insect bearing the director’s name as “Pinocchio” and “The Shape of Water” it was agreed between the team members researchers which he wanted to make tribute the director and his taste for insects.

“It was a new kind for Jalisco and we were looking for someone to dedicate it to and we decided to choose him as ours pathis small recognition to his work, in addition to the fact that the knowledge that Fr insectslike in the movie “Mimicry” or “Kronos,” he noted.

This species was found in the Sierra de Tapalpa in 2015, and is characterized by a light brown color. Study “Fireflies (Coleóptera Lampyridae) of northwestern Mexico”it is led by the UNAM academician, Santiago Zaragoza, and is part of research started in 2000 in four areas of the country where another 90 new species were found.

The latest results from 2022 were published in Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad where entomologists describe 48 species with the names of other Mexican characters such as the writer Juan Rulfo “Photinus juanrulfoi” and painters Frida Kahlo “Photinus fridakahloae” and Diego Rivera “Photinus diegoriveroi”, explained Rodríguez.

“Fireflies are important insects for ecosystemEvery living being has a right to conservation, including this insect, which are predatory organisms that can control the populations of other animals such as earthworms, snails and slugs,” he specified.

There are 281 recognized, registered and described fireflies in Mexico, although it is estimated that there may be another 80 species that have not yet been identified, according to work carried out by a group of entomologists.