USA and Mexico . The species range covers northern Baja California (Mexico), Riverside, and Imperial County in Southern California (USA). Butterflies inhabit dry sandy areas [2] .
The species was described by Canadian entomologist Vazrick Nazari in January 2017 [2] after he discovered a specimen of a previously unknown butterfly species while studying the collection of the Bogart Entomology Museum, including various samples that have been collected since the first description of the genus Neopalpa . The genus Neopalpa also includes the species Neopalpa neonata (Mexico and the USA), which was first described in 1998 by Czech entomologist Dalibor Povolny ( Dalibor Povolný , 1924-2004) [3] .
The new taxon received a specific name in honor of the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump , because on the head of the butterfly are yellowish-white scales, which, according to the discoverer, remind him of his hair [2] [4] . Previously, only the fossil species of sea urchins Tetragramma donaldtrumpi from Texas ( USA ) was named after Donald Trump [5] .
Vazrick Nazari believes that the discovery of a new species of butterfly living in the densely populated and well-studied southern part of California, emphasizes the importance of preserving the habitats of wild animals, and his proposed name will draw public attention to rare species of insects [1] [6] .
| | | |
Butterfly head close up | | Donald Trump |
The length of the front wing of males is 3-4.6 mm, and that of females is 4.3 mm. The front wings are pointed, elongated-lanceolate. The hind wings are wide. The upper side of the wings is dark brown with individual light yellowish spots. The underside of the wings is yellow; at the inner edge of the wings, the color varies to an ocher-brown color. Hind wings with long whitish fringe. Head with a bunch of yellowish or whitish scales and hairs. The length of the antennae is about 2/3 of the length of the front wing. Lower labial palps long, sickle-curved [2] .
Neopalpa neonata is distinguished from the closely related species by a developed bunch of scales on the head. Barcoding of DNA of both species revealed differences in the range from 4.9 to 5.1% [2] .
The biology of the species has not been studied. Famous specimens of the species were collected in February, April, June and August, being lured to artificial light sources [2] .
