At least five animals have been scientifically named after Harry Potter characters!
Characters from the Harry Potter universe have inspired scientists and biologists to name new species of insects and animals after them. Earlier this year, ‘Harryplax Severus Crab’, a newly-discovered crab species was inspired by names of both Harry and professor Severus Snape. The ‘Ampulex Dementor Wasp’ is native to Thailand. This one behaves unusually with cockroaches. As it stings its prey, it releases a toxin into the victim’s neural nodes. This toxin blocks the cockroach’s octopamine receptors, leaving it alive but unable to direct its movements. It is named so referring to its behavioural resemblance with the Dementors, fictional creatures from the books, who suck their prey’s soul, leaving it an empty body with neither thoughts nor emotions, just like the wasp.
A species of wolf spider the furry Lycosa Aragogi Spider — has been named after Aragog. The two have similar exoskeletons with eight inset eyes and a furry exterior. Named after the redeemed character Lucius Malfoy, a wasp in New Zealand was named ‘Lusius Malfoyi’. And finally, the ‘Eriovixia Gryffindori Spider’, who resembles a sorting hat, is named after Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts.