The name of a new butterfly genus honors author J.R.R. Tolkien

A butterfly genus has J.R.R. Tolkien to thank for its new official name.

Butterflies from the Saurona family are found in the tropics of the Americas and, as you might guess, are characterized by bright orange hindwings and dark eyespots.

Saurona triangula and Saurona aurigera are currently the only two known types, but scientists believe there could be many more, according to the British Natural History Museum, which posted about the paper unveiling the butterflies.

The name, of course, pays homage to Tolkien's villainous wizard Sauron.

For more on the Saurona butterflies and other animals named after Tolkien's world, head to the Natural History Museum's website.

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