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A new species of mite has been described by Queensland Museum scientists and named after the owl Hedwig from the Harry Potter franchise.
“The mite was found on a beetle named Figulus which, in Latin, means a potter. So, as this mite is like a little pet of a Potter, I named it Hedwig,” Queensland Museum Collection Manager Arachnology Dr Owen Seeman said.
In an interesting twist, the scientific name (Paraschizogynium hedwig) has no gender attached to it as the owl was referred to as a female in the book series and portrayed by a male owl in the movies.
“Perhaps more subtly, and naughtily, the name has no gender, it’s a slight bit of good-natured fun to make hedwig genderless,” Dr Seeman said.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has caused controversy in recent years due to her views on sex and gender - earning the support of some feminists, but angering transgender campaigners for her belief that there are potential conflicts between women's and trans rights.
The paper was recently published in The Australian Entomologist.
When: 02 Nov 2023
Credit: Queensland Museum Network/O.D. Seeman/Cover Images
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**