The species was first described by biologist Dale H. Clayton in 1990, who named it after cartoonist Gary Larson.

Its type host is the Northern white-faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis).

In a letter to Larson, Clayton praised the cartoonist for "the enormous contribution that my colleagues and I feel you have made to biology through your cartoons."

In his 1989 book The Prehistory of the Far Side, Larson stated, "I considered this an extreme honor.

"[3] Clayton wrote he honored Larson "in appreciation of the unique light he has shed on the workings of nature.