Animals and Plants Named for Michigan

A search of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System revealed 33 taxa of living organisms in which "michigan" is part of the scientific name, in most cases forming the root of the species name. The organisms so named include 24 species of animals representing 6 classes, 11 orders, and 22 families; and 9 taxa (6 species, 1 subspecies, and 2 varieties) of plants representing 6 classes, 8 orders, and 8 families.

All of the animals are invertebrates, including 17 insects, 2 water mites, a fluke, a leech, a proturan, a rotifer, and an earthworm. The insects consist of 9 flies (Diptera), 4 bees or wasps (Hymenoptera), a beetle (Staphylinidae), and a caddisfly (Tricoptera).

The plants include 3 flowering plants, 3 diatoms, 2 green algaes, and a moss. I’m a little surprised that some individual or organization has not campaigned to have the native and showy Michigan Lily named the Michigan State Flower in place of the generic Apple Blossom.

The list of animals and plants named in honor of Michigan follows:

Animals:

Calycomyza michiganensis, a leafminer fly

Cloacitrema michiganense, a fluke

Desserobdella michiganensis, a leech

Endasys michiganensis, an ichneumon wasp

Gyrophaena michigana, a rove beetle

Hesperocorixa michiganensis, a water boatman

Hydrochoreutes michiganensis, a water mite

Lasioglossum michiganense, a sweat bee

Leptocera michigana, a small dung fly

Limonia michigana, a crane fly

Microphthalma michiganensis, a parasitic fly

Notholca michiganensis, a rotifer

Osmia michiganensis, a leafcutting bee

Otites michiganus, a picture-winged fly

Oxyethira michiganensis, a purse casemaker caddisfly

Phytocoris michiganae, a plant bug

Piguetiella michiganensis, an earthworm

Piona michiganensis, a water mite

Pipunculus michiganensis, a big-headed fly

Protentomon michiganense, a proturan

Rivellia michiganensis, a picture-winged fly

Stelis michiganensis, a leafcutter bee

Tephritis michiganensis, a fruit fly

Triepeolus michiganensis, a bee

Plants:

Amphora michiganensis, a diatom

Cyclotella bodanica var. michiganensis, a diatom

Cyclotella michiganiana, a diatom

Didyodon michiganensis, Michigan didymodon moss

Euastrum crassum michiganense, a green algae

Lilium michiganense, Michigan lily

Mimilus glabratus var. michiganensis, Michigan monkey-flower

Oedogonium argenteum michiganese, a green algae

Rubus michiganensis, Michigan dewberry