Deadpool, Thor and Loki; Australia names new species after Marvel favorites

Deadpool, Thor, Loki, and Black Widow are the popular superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, Australian scientists have taken inspiration from Marvel to name 5 newly discovered fly species after these superheroes. The 5 flies were part of the 165 species that Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) had discovered in the past year.

The Thor fly has flecks of gold and light brown on its body which reminded the scientists of Thor’s blond hair and the gold features on his outfits. Its scientific name Daptolestes bronteflavus in Latin means blond Thunder.

There is also the Loki fly whose scientific name is Daptolestes illusiolautus which translates as elegant deception. Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, fakes his own death and betrays other characters.

Other characters like Dead Pool and Black Widow, also has flies named after them.

“We chose the name Humorolethalis sergius (for Deadpool). It sounds like lethal humor and is derived from the Latin words humorosus, meaning wet or moist, and lethalis meaning dead,” said CSIRO entomologist Dr. Bryan Lessard.

The scientists have also named one of them after the Marvel Comics visionary, Stan Lee. The fly, named Daptolestes leei has markings on its face that reminds one of the iconic sunglasses that Lee had, the scientists said.

Naming newly discovered species is an “important superpower in solving many of the world’s challenges,” said the CSIRO in a statement. Being able to identify and differentiate between species allows experts to learn more about them and to “help save their lives and our own,” said the statement.