Ricinus vaderi is a species of chewing lice which parasitises the calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) in Azerbaijan. It is a member of Ricinus, the largest genus of chewing lice found parasitizing Passeriformes.Bernard C. Nelson (1972): A Revision of the New World Species of Ricinus (Mallophaga). Occurring on Passeriformes (Aves), University of California Publications in Entomology Volume 68, University of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, PDF
The species name is derived from Darth Vader, a fictional character in the Star Wars series. According to Miroslav Valan, Oldrich Sychra and Ivan Literak, the first author's fiancée noticed a similarity between the head of the R. vaderi and Darth Vader's helmet.
References
External links EntomologyToday (26 February 2016): New Chewing Lice Species Named after Darth Vader