Summary of "A Beetle By Any Other Name" – 99% Invisible

Introduction: Exploring the Hidden World of Hitler's Beetle

In the March 4, 2025 episode of 99% Invisible, host Roman Mars delves into the intricate and controversial world of biological nomenclature through the lens of a particularly infamous species: Anophthalmus hitlery—commonly known as Hitler's Beetle. The episode navigates the historical practices of naming species, the ethical dilemmas surrounding offensive names, and the real-world implications these names have on conservation efforts.

Journey into the Cave: Meeting Andrej Kapler

The episode begins in the depths of Pekel, a giant limestone cave in central Slovenia. British expat and 99% Invisible correspondent Will Aspinall teams up with Andrej Kapler, a researcher from the Slovenian National Institute of Biology, to explore the cave in search of the elusive Hitler’s Beetle.

• Andrej Kapler (00:58-01:03): Discusses the cave's ominous name, "Pekel," which means "hell" in Slovene, attributing it to rock formations resembling the shape of the devil.

Despite the challenging conditions—narrow passages and recent heavy rainfall—Kapler remains unfazed, emphasizing his preference for solitude over social interactions.

• Andrej Kapler (02:07): "I’m more comfortable in a cave than with people."

The Legacy of Naming: From Linnaeus to Today

Roman Mars provides a historical backdrop, tracing the practice of naming species back to Carl Linnaeus, an 18th-century Swedish botanist who revolutionized taxonomy with his binomial nomenclature system. This system assigns each species a two-word Latin or Greek name, consisting of the genus and species, facilitating a standardized method of classification.

• Roman Mars (04:15): "The practice of naming species after humans goes back to the 18th century in a man named Carl Linnaeus."

Speakers Sandy Knapp and Will Aspinall elaborate on Linnaeus’s influence and the widespread adoption of his system across Europe, despite competing naming conventions of the time.

Contemporary Naming Practices: Honor, Controversy, and Creativity

As scientific discovery accelerated, so did the number of species requiring names. This led to increasingly creative—and sometimes problematic—naming choices. Modern taxonomists often honor celebrities, public figures, and personal acquaintances, resulting in names like Nonaria Swifty (after Taylor Swift) and Agra schwarzeneggeri (after Arnold Schwarzenegger).

• Derek Hennan (12:05): "When you have 50 new species to name... if you want an obscure millipede to stand out, why not name it after one of the most famous and beloved people on the planet?"

While these names can generate public interest and media coverage, they also raise questions about the appropriateness and ethical implications of such practices.

The Controversial Case of Hitler's Beetle

The focus shifts to Anophthalmus hitlery, a beetle named in 1937 by Oskar Scheibel, an esteemed entomologist and Nazi sympathizer. The name was intended as a tribute to Adolf Hitler, intertwining scientific nomenclature with political ideology.

• Roman Mars (03:15): "The beetle is notorious because it is named after arguably the worst human being in history."

This naming has inadvertently made the beetle a target for neo-Nazi collectors, compromising conservation efforts. The beetle’s status as a symbol for hate groups has tangible consequences, including poaching and the destruction of its fragile cave habitat.

• Andrej Kapler (15:33): "It turns out Hitler's beetle is in high demand from far-right extremists who are buying up dead specimens like tiny Nazi trophies."

Debate on Renaming: Ethical Imperatives vs. Scientific Tradition

The episode delves into the heated debate within the scientific community regarding the renaming of species with offensive names. Richard Ladle, a Professor of Conservation Science, co-authored a paper advocating for the removal of such names and the cessation of naming species after people altogether.

• Richard Ladle (22:21): "Do you want a species to be a living reminder? Because that's what it is, you know."

Conversely, Sandy Knapp argues against a wholesale renaming effort, citing the monumental task it would entail and the pressing need to address biodiversity conservation instead.

• Sandy Knapp (26:07): "There are thousands of names of things that are named for people... we're in the middle of a planetary emergency and a biodiversity crisis."

Despite resistance from the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), which maintains naming stability, recent actions by the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants (ICN) show tentative progress. In the 2024 International Botanical Congress in Madrid, over 200 offensive names were successfully changed through a loophole allowing corrections for misspellings.

• Sandy Knapp (27:12): "It's very, very offensive... All of those names were changed."

Conservation Implications and Personal Perspectives

Andrej Kapler emphasizes that the issue extends beyond nomenclature, highlighting the tangible threats to biodiversity posed by politically charged names. While the name "Hitler's Beetle" is a historical anomaly, it symbolizes a broader ethical challenge in taxonomy.

• Andrej Kapler (28:13): "For me, it's important what kind of animal it is, where it lives, what it does... its position in ecology and everything."

Despite efforts, Kapler and Aspinall’s recent expedition yielded no new specimens, a setback attributed to environmental factors rather than neo-Nazi interference.

• Andrej Kapler (17:35): "You have to be extremely patient with the cave beetles."

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Species Naming

The episode concludes by acknowledging the complexity of the naming debate, balancing respect for scientific tradition with the moral responsibilities of the scientific community. While some steps towards change have been made, as seen with the ICN’s adjustments, the broader consensus within taxonomy remains resistant to widespread renaming initiatives.

• Richard Ladle (25:22): "If you have to name 200 new species, that's difficult. Yeah, but it's not that difficult."

Ultimately, "A Beetle By Any Other Name" underscores the profound impact that something as seemingly simple as a name can have on both scientific integrity and societal values. It calls for a thoughtful reassessment of naming practices to ensure that taxonomy contributes positively to both science and social ethics.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Andrej Kapler (02:07): "I’m more comfortable in a cave than with people."
• Roman Mars (04:15): "The practice of naming species after humans goes back to the 18th century in a man named Carl Linnaeus."
• Derek Hennan (12:05): "If you want an obscure millipede to stand out, why not name it after one of the most famous and beloved people on the planet?"
• Roman Mars (03:15): "The beetle is notorious because it is named after arguably the worst human being in history."
• Richard Ladle (22:21): "Do you want a species to be a living reminder? Because that's what it is, you know."
• Sandy Knapp (26:07): "We're in the middle of a planetary emergency and a biodiversity crisis."

Closing Thoughts

"A Beetle By Any Other Name" offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between taxonomy, ethics, and conservation. Through engaging storytelling and expert insights, 99% Invisible illuminates the unseen complexities behind the names we assign to the natural world, urging listeners to consider the broader implications of scientific nomenclature.