New Jersey: “Gypsy Moth” Deemed Ethnic Slur: Will Get New Name

The “Woke Mob” strikes, again.

No one, regardless of species appears to be safe from their reach.

The latest “victim” is the soon-to-be former Gypsy Moth.

The name change is official. The new name is still to be announced.

The winged moths are also known as Lymantria dispar.

The Entomological Society of America is the country’s leading insect identification group.

They have determined that the name “Gypsy Moth” is an ethnic slur and offensive by some Romani people.

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“It’s an ethnic slur to begin with that’s been rejected by the Romani people a long time ago,’’ said society President Michelle Smith. “Second, nobody wants to be associated with a harmful invasive pest.”

“The Entomological Society of America — which has previously only removed names that aren’t scientifically accurate — is getting rid of the tree-destroying pest’s title along with that of the little-known gypsy ant, the organization announced last week.”

The moths are very destruction, living in wooded areas in the eastern and central United States. They’re known to devour entire forests of leaves during their insatiable caterpillar phase.

If you’re wondering where the name came from in the first place; it dates back to the early 1900’s “because their larvae can float for miles using hair with small air pockets - which scientists compared to wandering Romani people,” according to May Berenbaum, a past society president.

SOURCE: New York Post

Olympic athletes from NJ competing in Tokyo 2021

After the pandemic sidelined world-class athletes in 2020, at least 18 Olympic contenders with New Jersey roots have qualified for the Tokyo Olympic games. Some are returning after an appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016 — while others find themselves in their first Olympics.

Here's the roundup of contenders, grouped by sport, with the opening ceremony set for July 23.