Trapdoor spider becomes Colbert’s namesake

Colbert’s namesake is Aptostichus (ap-TAS’-tih-kus) stephencolberti

Jason Decrow / AP file

A trapdoor spider species found along the coast of California last year is the new eight-legged tribute to Stephen Colbert.

Celebrity video

Attorney describes Woods crash scene
Dec. 1: An attorney representing Tiger Woods' neighbor tells reporters the golf star was found outside of his crashed vehicle, with his wife offering him assistance.

Manilow on new holiday album

Woman claims no affair with Woods

Are Tiger's endorsements in danger?

Katie Holmes’ Dancing ‘Dizzy’ Feet

Tiger's ‘other Woman’ speaks

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 7:18 p.m. ET July 31, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - A trapdoor spider species found along the coast of California last year is the new eight-legged tribute to Stephen Colbert.

How will the faux conservative talk show host take this news? Viewers of the Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report” will find out Wednesday when East Carolina University biologist Jason Bond appears as a guest.

Bond specializes in spiders and millipedes. He and students study both new and known species and provide names for the new ones.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Colbert’s namesake is Aptostichus (ap-TAS’-tih-kus) stephencolberti. Because Colbert doesn’t pronounce the “t” in his last name, it will also be silent in the spider’s name.

Colbert demanded that a spider species carry his name after learning that Bond named a spider for rocker Neil Young.