Actor Jeff Daniels ‘honored’ with namesake parasite that kills tarantulas

Jeff Daniels may have never won an Academy Award, but he now has the honor of having a parasite that kills tarantulas named after him.

The “Dumb and Dumber” actor received that distinction after researchers from the University of California at Riverside discovered a worm believed to infect that specific breed of spider. Phys.org reports that the parasite name, Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, is an homage to the star who played an arachnid-killing scientist in the 1990 film “Arachnophobia.”

Daniels reportedly told UC Riverside researchers he was “honored by their homage” after learning it wasn’t his looks that inspired their decision to name a worm after him.

“In Hollywood, you haven’t really made it until you’ve been recognized by those in the field of parasitology,” said the 66-year-old, who recently starred in the Showtime series “American Rust.”

Symptoms in tarantulas that have been infected with Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi reportedly include walking oddly and being unable to eat.

The BBC reports that in 2012, a parasite that feeds on fish was named after late reggae icon Bob Marley. That same year, a rare Australian horse fly was dubbed Scaptia beyonceae, in honor of pop star Beyonce. Former president George W. Bush, dead dictator Adolf Hitler and actress Kate Winslet have beetles bearing their names.