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New Insect Species Purchased On EBay

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-a-bargain dept.

SpuriousLogic writes "A scientist who bought a fossilized insect on the web auction site eBay for £20 has discovered that it belongs to a previously unknown species of aphid. The bug has been named Mindarus harringtoni after the scientist."

4 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    For 20 bucks, he should've been able to name it himself!

  2. I thought it meant a live insect at first by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I was thinking,"Sell people new species of insect from the rainforest, and that could help preserve it."

    --
    God spoke to me.
    1. Re:I thought it meant a live insect at first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It could also help kill idiots who buy this stuff. double bonus!

  3. To answer my own question: by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Do all names have to sound latin?

    Apparently, yes:

    "I had thought it would be rather nice to call it Mindarus ebayi," said Dr Harrington.
    "Unfortunately using flippant names to describe new species is rather frowned upon these days."

    Quantum physicists have all the fun. When properties of subatomic particles can have names like "Charmed" or "Strange", why can't a species have a fun name, too?

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!