One Butterfly to Rule Them All

Scientists have discovered two new species of butterfly, and they've named them after one of the most iconic villains in modern literature: Sauron from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The Saurona genus is named after the all-seeing eye of Sauron, as the black rings on the orange wings of the butterfly bear a striking resemblance to the villain's famous symbol. The Natural History Museum in London hopes that this unusual title will draw attention to the species and encourage further research.

Dr. Blanca Huertas, curator of the butterflies at the museum, and a team of 30 scientists from around the world spent a decade studying the butterfly subtribe Euptychiina. They analyzed more than 400 different species of butterfly using advances in DNA to identify the differences between them at a genetic level, as well as by their appearance. Saurona triangula and Saurona aurigera are the first two species to be added to the newly named Saurona genus, but the experts expect many more to follow.

Saurona triangula and Saurona aurigera aren't the only creatures named after Sauron. His glowing eye has been referenced in the names of a dung beetle, a frog, and even a dinosaur. With this latest discovery, the infamous villain's legacy has expanded to include two species.