Troll or honour?: Scientist discovers moth with yellowish head in Mexico, names it Donaldtrumpi

Donaldtrumpi is a yellow-headed moth from south of Trump's proposed border wall.

Presenting the Donaldtrumpi. There is no clarity if it will fly over Trump's wall. (Picture: Vazrick Nazari)

A scientist from Canada has named a newly discovered species of moth after US President Donald Trump. And we are not sure if he was honouring Trump or trolling him, and there's two reasons for it. One, the spider is described as having yellowish-white scales and 'comparatively small' genitalia. Two, it was discovered in Mexico, south of Trump's proposed wall.

The moth's scientific name is Neopalpa Donaldtrumpi. Vazrick Nazari, the scientist who discovered it says he named it so because of the yellowish-white scales on top of its head reminded him of the US president. However, in his formal paper submission, he says he named it after the brash New York billionaire to raise awareness.

Either way, it's not clear if the decision to name it after Trump is a major troll or a bid to honour.

The moth, Neopalpa Donaldtrumpi, was proposed as a different species under the Neopalpa genus. There is only one other moth in the genus so far - Neopalpa neonata. The paper Nazari submitted said the Donaldtrumpi has "genitalia comparatively smaller than for N. neonata".

Nazari said the discovery of the species underlined the lack of interest in the study of smaller fauna in North America and the need to conserve fragile habitats. As a coastal area the Baja California state of Mexico where Donaldtrumpi was discovered would be threatened by climate change, which Donald Trump denies.

"By naming this species after the 45th President of the United States, I hope to bring some public attention to, and interest in, the importance of alpha-taxonomy in better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity," he said in his 2017 submission seeking formal recognition of Donaldtrumpi as a separate species of moth.

Trump has claimed Trump steaks were the best. He has said his Trump real estate is the best. Will he endorse the Donaldtrumpi, the Trump moth, as the best moth ever? Let's wait and watch Twitter.