2023 January 20

 

   Lymantria dispar

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:   On January 14, while writing about the proposed insecticide spraying program for L.dispar,  I expressed an opinion something to the effect that the change in its English name to Spongy Moth was “politically correct”, and that I didn’t know who, if anyone, was offended by the old name.  I quickly received two letters(and will doubtless receive a few more) pointing out that the G-word is exceedingly offensive to the Romani people, and for good reason  (in a similar manner to why the N-word is offensive to Black people).  I need hardly say, I hope, that no offence was intended, and I apologize for the comments (which I have now erased) that I made.  I am much indebted to Leah Ramsay for the following link, which gives some background.

 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/invasive-moth-gets-a-new-name-spongy-moth-180979680/