Science

Beetle Andy Rooney, George Washington Moth: 8 Celebrity Insect Lookalikes

Researchers at the National Wildlife Federation are a serious bunch, spending their days saving animals and educating the public and studying pressing scientific questions — when, that is, they're not deciding which beetle species looks like Gilbert Godfrey.
  • Andy Rooney Beetle
  • Kenny Rogers Bee
  • George Washington Moth
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Researchers at the National Wildlife Federation are a serious bunch, spending their days saving animals and educating the public and studying pressing scientific questions — when, that is, they're not deciding which beetle species looks like Gilbert Godfrey. This odd custom began when entomologist Sam Droege of the United States Geological Survey started sending identification requests to NWF biologist Doug Inkley. The photos end up circulating on the NWF's in-house email list. "It's all our staff who geek out about this stuff," explained Danielle Brigida, and the list isn't just about celebrity insects. "Right now there's a big debate going back and forth about what's cuter — puffins or pikas?" On the following pages, WIRED looks at some of Droege and the NWF's favorite bugs. Above:

Andy Rooney Beetle

Identified by entomologist Doug Yanega of the University of California, Riverside as a species of Ripiphorus, one of the wedge-shaped beetles. Image: Sam Droege/Flickr