Presentations
What's in a Name? That Which We Call a Rose Chafer, by Any Other Word Would Smell as Sweet
Tuesday, June 25th, 2024
May Berenbaum
2:00pm
Center for Advanced Study
Levis Faculty Center, Room 210
919 W. Illinois, Urbana
Event Description
Long before the mid-18th century, when Carl von Linné developed his binomial (two-part) system of scientific nomenclature for all known animals and plants, a binomial system of vernacular, or common names, was already in widespread use and remains in use today. For many reasons, among which are their tremendous diversity, their often obscure or unknown biology, and their high levels of endemism, naming insects presents a unique challenge to scientific and lay communities alike. These challenges are the focus today of intense discussions about what should or shouldn't be in a name (with apologies to Shakespeare).