CANBERRA, Australia — A newly discovered horse fly in Australia was so “bootylicious” with its golden-haired butt, that entomologists named it: Beyonce.

Previously published results from Bryan Lessard, a 24-year-old researcher at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, were recently announced on the species that had been sitting in a fly collection since it was captured in 1981 – the same year pop diva Beyonce was born.

He says he wanted to pay respect to the insect’s beauty by naming it Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae.

Lessard said Beyonce would be “in the nature history books forever” and that the fly now bearing her name is “pretty bootylicious” with its golden backside.

“Bootylicious” was the title of a song by Beyonce’s previous group, Destiny’s Child.

It’s unknown if the rare species is a bloodsucker like many female horse flies. Lessard says he was unable to find any live specimens when he went looking in 2010 in northeast Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, where it was captured three decades ago. However, at least one member of the public has alerted him that he was recently bitten by what’s locally called the “gold bum fly.”

The description of the fly was earlier published in the Australian Journal of Entomology, but the results were announced last week.

Lessard says he hasn’t heard from Beyonce, who recently gave birth to her first child, but he is a fan and hopes she will take his scientific gesture as a compliment. He also said the name was picked to help draw attention to the importance of his field and the need for more researchers to catalog and study insects.

Horse flies are “vital pollinators of native plants, not just in Australia, but all over the world,” Lessard said. “It’s extremely important to name all the undescribed species so we can measure our human impact on the environment and hopefully protect it for future generations to enjoy.”

Shakira was hoping the fly with the golden butt would  be named after her:

The horse fly, of which there are around 4,400 species worldwide, serves as an important pollinator of many plants. He explained: “Horse flies act like hummingbirds during the day, drinking nectar from their favorite varieties of grevillea, tea trees and eucalypts.”

However, it’s not only the fly’s spectacular behind that led to it being named after the Bootylicious star. This particular horse fly was first collected by scientists in the same year that Beyoncé was born – 1981.

“Most Australian Scaptia species have been described, however, these five ‘new’ species of a sub-group (Plinthina) have been housed in Australian collections since the group was last studied in the 1960s,” Lessard said.

SOUTH AFRICA – One pop star has not won many supporters for her taken on this year’s World Cup anthem!

Shakira is a grammy-winning musician who’s name is known worldwide. Usually when a star of her reputation is tied to a project, chances are that it’s going to be good. That’s not the case with her newly released World Cup anthem that is gaining just as many supporters as it is critics.

The World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka”, was released last week to radio stations and is a collaboration with South African band Freshlyground. The song has received a less than stellar approval from South Africans.

“It’s horrible,” local fan Lindi Munonde said. “I’m not standing for it. I mean what is our president doing about it?”

Africa’s selection to host this year’s World Cup was highly publicized as it was the continent’s first ever selection to host the fabled tournament. South Africans are not convinced Colombian singer Shakira is the appropriate person to represent Africa’s first World Cup.

“Waka Waka – Time for Africa” takes its inspiration from Cameroonian music and also contains African language. Critics would rather have a South African sing the song, or perhaps the African parts. “Really, I mean, how is Shakira going to sing the African part of it?” said Nomaswazi Thomo, another local fan.

Take a listen for yourself.

HAITI – The earthquake-torn country got a pleasant visit from Shakira who has some big plans in the works!

Colombian pop star Shakira met with children living in makeshift camps on Sunday. Thanks to the earthquake in January, more than 200,000 people were killed and over one million were left homeless. Shakira met survivors on a Haitian golf course turned into a makeshift camp for over 50,000 quake survivors.

Shakira was welcomed by Hollywood star Sean Penn, whose work in Haiti has been well documented. Both have taken on the challenge of helping the country get back on its feet and have urged individuals to get involved.

Shakira’s charity, Barefoot, is searching for suitable land to build a school for needy children. Her foundation provides nutrition to more than 6,000 children in Colombia, and she is also a member of the ALAS foundation that advocates for children across Latin America.

Watch Shakira speak about Haiti below.

WASHINGTON DC – Beyonce will be getting a little help from a little friend during her performance at Obama’s inauguration celebrations.

The opening celebration for President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration has been dubbed “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial”. A host of musicians have stepped froward to lend their talents for the evening, including Bono, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Garth Brooks’ alter ego Chris Gaines, and Shakira.

Beyonce was invited to join, but on one condition: she had to let Obatma perform with her!

Beyonce was requested by the Obama camp to let Obatma sing backup vocals during her set.  When asked why, an Obama spokesperson said, “He’ll hate me for telling you this but, he has a little crush, so… we thought it would make up for the whole ‘hotel thing’.”

Beyonce responded, “This is one of the most important events in American history. To share the stage with any of President-Elect Obama’s family is an honor and a blessing.”

When asked by reporters how she felt about working with Obatma, she giggled. “He’s just the cutest thing! Have you seen the little suit he always wears?”

While Obatma is incapable of speaking any known human language, he has already learned to squeak along to “Single Ladies”.  Unverified reports suggest he may even be the first mutant to breakdance during a presidential inauguration, although this is considered highly unlikely.

Critics are causing a stir, saying his appearance could turn a dignified event into a freakshow.  However, Obatma will not be the first mutant to perform at an inauguration.  President Taft had a three legged tap dancer perform at his inaugural celebration while he unhinged his jaw to eat a whole turkey.