The 53rd Species Named After Sir David Attenborough is a Tiny Wasp to Honor His Century of Impact

Scientists at London's Natural History Museum formally described a new genus and species of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, collected in Chile in 1983 and named to mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday on May 8, 2026. This brings to 53 the total number of species named after him—22 living animals, 18 plants, 11 fossils, and 2 bacteria—reflecting the scientific community's recognition of his influence on taxonomy and natural history.

A species cannot be protected against extinction if it is not formally named, as the museum's curator notes—so formal description is a prerequisite, not a substitute, for conservation action.