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New Crete Moth Named After Pope Leo XIV

5/6/2026

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Summary

Huemer Describes Moth

Peter Huemer of the State Museum described the new moth species Pyralis papaleonei, named for Pope Leo XIV.
The species inhabits Crete’s White Mountains (Lefka Ori) at elevations of 1,000-1,200 m.
Specimens collected in June and October reveal an extended flight season.
DNA barcoding shows 5.78% divergence from Pyralis kacheticalis and 9.4% from Pyralis regalis.

Summary

Team Honors Pope

The new moth species was named Pyralis papaleonei in honor of Pope Leo XIV.
Researchers said the name sends an environmental hope message, echoing Pope Leo XIV’s summit call to shift from data collection to caring.
The Austria-Finland-Bavaria team used the discovery to spotlight the global biodiversity crisis, noting the name follows a historic Pyralis tradition of royal titles.

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Huemer Describes Moth

Peter Huemer of the State Museum described the new moth species Pyralis papaleonei, named for Pope Leo XIV.
The species inhabits Crete’s White Mountains (Lefka Ori) at elevations of 1,000-1,200 m.
Specimens collected in June and October reveal an extended flight season.
DNA barcoding shows 5.78% divergence from Pyralis kacheticalis and 9.4% from Pyralis regalis.

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