A new species of cockroach has been discovered, and it's named after a Pokémon

Singaporean entomologists Foo Maosheng and Ipis Lord have discovered a new genus of cockroach, Nocticola pheromosa. If that name sounds familiar, it might be because Pheromosa is also the name of a Pokémon! An Ultra Beast also known as UB-02 Beauty, the Lissome Pokémon was first seen in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Maosheng revealed that reference is intentional. He and Lord are big Pokémon fans (Maosheng is even a self-proclaimed Bug Catcher!), and the two noticed similarities between Pheromosa and Nocticola pheromosa, including thin, elongated proportions and swift movements.

It's said that art imitates life, but it's also said that life imitates art. Pokémon often takes inspiration from the real world, and so it's wonderful to see the reverse happening, with Pokémon inspiring the real world.