Newly-discovered giant sea bug resembling Darth Vader isn't as scary as it looks

Researchers exploring the wares of fishers in Vietnam have discovered a “supergiant” sea bug species that they've named for one of the most infamous movie villains of all time.

The new find came after scientists purchased crustaceans from markets and restaurants in three Vietnamese cities, including the capital of Hanoi.

Because the head of the animal's carapace bared a resemblance to the iconic helmet worn by Darth Vader in "Star Wars," the creature was named Bathynomus vaderi.

The creature belongs to a genus of giant isopods found in abundance in deep-sea waters. Referred to by the researchers as a "supergiant," the largest of the specimens weighed more than 2.2 pounds and was 12.8 inches long – making it one of the largest known isopods.

The researchers formally described the novel sea bug in a paper published this month in the journal ZooKeys.

'Supergiant' sea bug named for Vader found in Vietnam

The six male specimens the team of researchers examined were caught in the South China Sea offshore of the city of Quy Nhon in south-central Vietnam, west of the Spratly Islands.

The scientists studied the specimens to discover distinctive physical features that marked them as a newfound species.

B. vaderi is only the second recorded supergiant isopod species discovered in the South China Sea.

What are isopods?

Isopods are an order of invertebrates belonging to the greater crustacean group of animals, like crabs and shrimp.

Scientists estimate that there are around 10,000 species of isopods, coming in a range of shapes and sizes. Most isopods are incredibly small, some as tiny as micrometers, while others can grow larger than 3 feet, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

Despite the size disparity, most isopods share a resemblance, with common features like two pairs of antenna, segmented bodies, compound eyes and four sets of jaws, according to NOAA.

They also live in many different types of habitats around the world, from mountains and deserts to the deep sea.

The largest isopod species are those from the genus Bathynomus – animals that live in the deep sea and that are much larger than their shallow-water relatives. The impressive size of B. vaderi makes it one of the world's largest isopods, but it is still dwarfed by the largest known Bathynomus, which measures more than 19 inches.

Belying the creature's imposing and even villainous appearance, deep sea isopods are harmless to humans. The creatures are bottom-dwellers that feed on dead animals and other decaying matter, performing a vital role in recycling nutrients.

Bathynomus crustaceans have become Vietnamese delicacy

Because they are often compared to lobster, Bathynomus species, such as B. jamesi, have become a delicacy in Vietnam, according to the study.

Amid growing local demand, some specimens were sold for up to 2 million Vietnamese dong (about $80) by 2017, researchers wrote. But as fishers who caught and sold Bathynomus made the specimens more abundant in marketplaces, prices dropped by early 2024 to closer to 1 million Vietnamese dong ($40,) according to the study.

Because it's likely B. vaderi live beyond Vietnam's coastal waters, the commercial interest has raised concerns that the growing market for giant isopods could lead to overfishing in the South China Sea, the researchers warned. But awareness could also lead to more regulations for sustainable fishing practices in the deep sea, they added.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com