Insect named after David Attenborough in honour of his 100th birthday

Legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 years old, and to celebrate, a whole species has been named after him.

The tiny wasp, officially named Attenboroughnculus tau, was announced in the Journal of Natural History by Scientists from the Natural History Museum in London, ahead of Attenborough’s milestone birthday, May 8.

The journal describes the insect as brownish in colour and just 3.5 millimetres long. Despite its small size, the wasp is known for being a parasitoid - laying eggs that grow and devour other insects.

The species name "tau" comes from the Greek letter for ‘T’, referring to the two T-shapes found on the wasp’s abdomen.

While its name is only now being revealed to the world, the specimen was actually collected decades ago in Chile in 1983.

The name pays tribute to Attenborough's work, which has inspired generations, including many of those working at the Natural History Museum, to appreciate and protect the natural world.

Dr Gavin R. Broad, Author and Principal Curator for all things Insects at the museum, said, “When I was far too young, I learnt about taxonomy from David Attenborough’s ‘Life on Earth’ series and resolved to be a taxonomist. Amazingly, I ended up a taxonomist, so I have Sir David to thank for that.”

Dr Broad noted there is far more to wasps than most people realise.

“Everyone's classic idea of a wasp is the yellow and black friend of picnics,” he said via National Geographic. “But that's just a tiny part of waspness. Most of the things that we call wasps are rather small, little things that parasitise other insects.”

Broad explained that an animal so unique (by forming its own genus) needs to be named after someone special. 

“We thought, well, who's important enough to have a genus named after them? Surely, David Attenborough."

According to RNZ, when Attenborough was informed about the naming, he sent thank-you letters to those involved, including Broad.

"It was very touching to receive a note, in handwriting much neater than mine at half his age," Broad said.

More than 50 species have been named in honour of Attenborough throughout his lifetime - including a Madagascan dragonfly named as a present for his 90th birthday.

But this naming is a particularly special one, with such a huge milestone birthday.