Spider, Ant Species Named In Honor Of Harrison Ford's Conservation Efforts

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Here’s an interesting fact: Harrison Ford is the only film icon who has a species of spiders (Calponia harrisonfordi) and ants (Pheidole harrisonfordi) named after him in honor of his dedicated conservation work.

The actor mentioned in a recent interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune that a scientist had also wanted to name a species of butterfly after him as well, “but I asked them to name it after my daughter instead. So here I am — only three species (the spider, the ant and himself).”

Ford, who has sat on the board of the global nonprofit group Conservation International for nearly 20 years, also talked about the failure of modern day humans to comprehend their connection with nature.

“I’m moved by the reality that we are interdependent organisms in a biotic community and that we have an arrogance unlike any other member of that biotic community which prohibits us from seeing the reality of our situation and allows us to commit such incredible folly at the expense of nature and the future that our kids have,’’ he said.

Check out the rest of the great interview here. Ford’s latest movie, Extraordinary Measures, opened in theaters last weekend.