A species of cockroach discovered in Singapore has been named by entomologists after a Pokémon character due to its many similarities.
The newly identified cockroach species is called Nocticola pheromosa. In the Pokémon game series, Pheromosa is also the name of a character that shares many traits.
Pheromosa character from the Pokémon series. (Photo: The Pokémon Company).
According to The Straits Times, the cockroach was found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Specimens were collected by entomologists from 2016 to 2017 and were later preserved at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore.
Testing results revealed that the DNA of this cockroach differs from all previously recorded cockroach species. This suggests that it may be a new species, despite its appearance being quite similar to common cockroaches.
After reviewing images of the cockroach, Cristian Lucanas, an entomologist from the UPLB Natural History Museum in the Philippines, contacted Foo Maosheng, a scientist at the Lee Kong Chian Museum, to conduct a dissection of the cockroach. The results confirmed that the cockroach has several distinct characteristics from its relatives, warranting a new name.
As reported by Gizmodo, the research conducted by Lucanas and Maosheng, along with the naming of the cockroach, was published in late February in the Asia-Pacific Entomology Journal.
Regarding the Pokémon of the same name, Pheromosa first appeared in the Pokémon Sun and Moon games. The character belongs to the Bug/Fighting type and is classified as an Ultra Beast, characterized by its rapid movement and strength despite its slender body.
According to Maosheng, some similarities between Pheromosa in Pokémon and the Nocticola pheromosa cockroach include a slim body, long antennae, hood-shaped wings, and long legs.
Pheromosa from Pokémon and the Nocticola pheromosa cockroach. (Photo: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum).
“My colleague and I both love Pokémon, so I wondered why not name it after a Pokémon character inspired by the cockroach,” Maosheng stated.
This is not the first time a real-life animal has been named after a Pokémon character. In 2021, three species of beetles discovered in Australia were named Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, based on the first three legendary birds from the popular game series.
Not only is the naming notable, but the cockroach itself has attracted scientific attention because it is the first Nocticola species found in Singapore, although its habitat range has not been thoroughly studied.
Similar to other cockroach species, this cockroach poses no harm to humans. The authors of the research emphasize that cockroaches play an important role in the environment; however, due to their appearance and negative subjective perceptions, they are often overlooked in entomological studies.
