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You Can Buy The Rights To Have This New Moth Species Named After You

By Marc Chacksfield

19 October 2015

Mega Moth.

The Terror of the Night.

Fluffy Night Ninja.

Kevin.

We're just putting together a shortlist of options should we win the Western National Parks Association's eBay auction to name this new species of moth.

Discovered eight years ago by Eric H. Metzler at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, the winning bidder will be aided by Metzler in creating a scientific, Latinized name for the white, fluffy moth (so that's Kevin out of the running), a specimen of which will be housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

"The winner will also receive a framed photo of the moth species and the official documentation report of the named moth, signed by Eric" - who's already discovered some 40 species of moth, so you won't be obliged to name it after him.

But 'Ericus' isn't a bad shout...

With bids currently at $5,100 (£3,300), this could be one of the more lavish Christmas presents you splash out on this year?