A newly discovered species of flightless grasshopper has been named after country music icon Willie Nelson. Found in central Texas, the insect's namesake honors the singer's birthplace and 90th birthday.
Dr. JoVonn Hill, a country music enthusiast and assistant professor at Mississippi State University, led the research team that discovered seven new flightless grasshopper species in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. Six of these species, including the Melanoplus nelsoni (named after Willie Nelson), are unique to this area, a recognized hub for biodiversity.
Dr. Hill also honored another country music legend, Jerry Jeff Walker, by naming a second species Melanoplus walkeri. He cited Walker's music as a source of inspiration during the team's field expeditions.
In addition to the musical tributes, two grasshopper species were named after the Comanche and Tonkawa tribes (Melanoplus commanche and Melanoplus tonkawa, respectively) to acknowledge their historical and cultural ties to the region.
The discovery of these seven species, along with two previously known species, forms a new species group, offering valuable insights into the region's diverse ecosystems and the evolutionary relationships within this group of grasshoppers. This research was published in the journal ZooKeys.
Dr. Hill, whose research focuses on the biodiversity of the southeastern United States, emphasized the ongoing potential for scientific discovery, stating, "There is still a lot out in the world to discover."
