 Cathy Moriarty (qv)s character is named Ruth Corday. This is a  tribute to actress Mara Corday (qv) who starred in the real giant  bug movies _Tarantula (1955)_ (qv) and  _Black Scorpion, The (1957)_ (qv) as well as the infamous  _Giant Claw, The (1957)_ (qv).