Turkish professor discovers new bug species, names it after wife

Dr. Ersin Demirel, a faculty member at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, named a newly discovered insect species after his wife, calling it “Emine.” This species, identified in the Anatolian province Kirsehir, has significant implications for agricultural plants and has been added to scientific literature.

Kirsehir’s natural wealth has once again been introduced to the scientific world through a new discovery. Associate Professor Mahmut Erbey from Kirsehir Ahi Evran University made an important identification of a new insect species during his field studies. This new species marks a significant step in enriching Türkiye’s biological diversity.

Following the discovery, the specimens were sent to Demirel at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University’s faculty of science and letters, department of zoology, for further examination. After detailed analysis, it was confirmed that the species was new to science.

Confirmation of a new species

The examination conducted at Mustafa Kemal University confirmed that the insect was indeed a new species. Data regarding the species was compiled, and a scientific paper was prepared, which was later published in the Zootaxa Journal.

Erbey explained to the Anadolu Agency (AA) that the new insect species, discovered from specimens collected in Kirsehir, has now been introduced to the scientific community. He emphasized that the discovery is an important contribution to the local, national and global fauna.

Named after his wife

Demirel chose to name the insect “Emine” after his wife, marking a personal connection to the discovery. The species has been officially classified as “Pentastira eminei sp. nov.”

Erbey highlighted that this contribution to global biology literature was made by a Turkish scientist, and as a result, the number of similar species and genera in the country has increased to six.

Agricultural significance

Erbey noted that the species in question has a piercing, sucking mouth structure, which causes physical damage to agricultural plants. Additionally, the insect plays a significant role in transmitting pathogens, particularly affecting crops like potatoes and tomatoes.

He expressed immense pride and joy in being part of this discovery, stating, “Discovering this species brings me great pride and happiness. I hope that with our ongoing research, these contributions will continue to grow. However, more studies are needed to further assess the biodiversity of our region.”

This discovery highlights the importance of Kirsehir’s diverse ecosystems and the crucial need for continued research to uncover and protect the region’s natural wealth.