‘You’re never too small to make a difference’: Scientist names beetle after Greta Thunberg

Nelloptodes gretae: The new species, named after Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg, belongs to a group of some of the smallest known animals.

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In this undated photo issued by Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, showing the new species of beetle Nelloptodes gretae, named after Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg. (Source: AP)

A new species of beetle was recently named after Greta Thunberg by the National History Museum, to honour the 16-year-old Swedish climate change activist. The species, named Nelloptodes gretae after Thunberg, is less than a millimetre in length. Entomologist Michael Darby said the decision was taken as Thunberg is known for her motto, “you are never too small to make a difference”.

“I’m really a great fan of Greta,” the scientist said. “She is a great advocate for saving the planet and she is amazing at doing it, so I thought that this was a good opportunity to recognise that.”

The micro insect has neither eyes nor wings. It is pale and gold in colour, and has two long pigtail-like antennae, which remind some of Thunberg’s long braids. The species, which was originally collected in Kenya between 1964 and 1965 by an entomologist called William Brock, belongs to the Ptiliidae family of beetles. This family includes some of the smallest insects in the world. The samples, which were collected in the 60s from the soil from around east Africa, was until now stored in the Museum’s collections.

‘You are never too small to make a difference.’

A new species of miniature beetle has been named after @GretaThunberg, in recognition of her advocacy for climate action and protecting the natural world 🌍🐞 https://t.co/BWMgS2VbcM

— Natural History Museum (@NHM_London) October 25, 2019

“These beetles are so very small that my wife has described them as being like animated full stops,” Darby was quoted as saying by the museum. “But actually many are a whole lot smaller than a full stop.”

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Stressing that this beetle species was not named after Greta because it is small, the scientist highlighted that several species of Ptiliidae are named after prominent people, including one for Sir David Attenborough, “meaning that N. gretae is certainly in prestigious company”.

Here’s how people reacted to the news:

Though ideally, @NHM_London, you should have chosen a FLIGHTLESS BEETLE to name for Greta 😂

— Rowan Hooper (@rowhoop) October 25, 2019

Finally some positivity on the internet. #teamtrees and a GRETA BEETLE! https://t.co/E7UCLcKeyp

— AsapSCIENCE (@AsapSCIENCE) October 25, 2019

Small but mighty! Congratulations ⁦@GretaThunberg⁩ on this highly deserved matronym in appreciation of your determined work on our behalf. Nelloptodes gretae is a beautiful name! https://t.co/EDzHihrdaC

— Beulah Garner (@thiswordistaken) October 25, 2019

Now how cool is that 😃 https://t.co/CXTO4rxYzL

— 🌡☀️ LuLuBe 🍃🍂🍁 (@azurrow) October 26, 2019

What an honour – and so richly deserved. Congratulations Greta. 💚

— Judy Webb 🐾 #GTTO #ClimateCrisis #StopBrexit (@JudyWeb92176381) October 25, 2019

What a dear wee thing, little beaded antennae ❤

— Etym Dub (@etym_dub) October 25, 2019

Excellent gesture.

— Saadia (@Trustyourself15) October 25, 2019

Congratulations @GretaThunberg that’s quite the Honour! 😊

— W B Devitt III (@WB_Devitt_III) October 25, 2019

Dream Big. You are never too small to make a Difference. #StartYourImpossible #DreamBig https://t.co/ko2XDM40wr

— dinesh menonⓂ (@Sunny66204366) October 25, 2019

Never too small…..Never too young….. Never too anything…..

What a lovely recognition of a wonderful young person. https://t.co/Ql9gaGQcIO

— Barbara Muldoon (@MuldoonBarbara) October 25, 2019

This is so pure https://t.co/4LsxKvmtcI

— Shakespearean Witch (@___Sycorax___) October 25, 2019

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