Public has chance to name new moth species

TUCSON, Ariz. -- An auction on eBay allows the public to make a different kind of purchase as they peruse used clothing, electronics and war relics on the site. Up for sale: naming rights to a new insect.

A moth that weighs less than an ounce and measures about an inch was discovered eight years ago at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico by entomologist Eric H. Metzler.

The process to have a new species approved has taken several years, but Metzler, a volunteer at the park, is ready to give his flying friend a name.

That honor is usually bestowed on the person who made the finding.

But Metzler wanted to give back to the Western National Parks Association, which has funded some of his research. So he asked the organization to begin an online auction for the naming rights and to take the proceeds.

"I am not a rich man, and I don't have a lot of money to give to charity, but this is the way I could give them money in the form of service. I could use my brains to help them," Metzler said.

The auction went live Saturday on eBay and ends Friday. Bidding starts at $500.

"When are you ever going to have the opportunity to have your own moth named after you?" said Amy Reichgott, development manager for the Western National Parks Association.

The winner will work with Metzler to Latinize the name. An international organization has to approve the name.