When University of Wyoming entomologist Scott R. Shaw discovered a brand-new species of wasp, the find came with one of the juicier plums in the scientific world: naming rights. He dubbed it Aleiodes shakirae—for the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer Shakira.

Dr. Shaw said the wasp lays its eggs inside a host caterpillar, which causes the host to squirm and bend.

“That...