There are 21 nominees vying for New Zealand Bug of the Year 2025, who will you vote for?
Hosted by the Entomological Society of NZ the 2025 Bug of the Year competition has 21 nominees which represent 3 Phyla (Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Onychophora), 5 Classes, 15 Orders, and each nominee is the sole representative of its taxonomic Family.
Aotearoa is home to thousands of fascinating insects, spiders, slugs, snails, centipedes, springtails and other “bugs”. These bugs make up more than half of our animal diversity and many of them are found nowhere else on the planet! Bugs are vital for the health of our ecosystems: they are food for our birds and fish, they pollinate our crops and flowers, and they keep our soils aerated, our waste decomposed and our backyard buzzing.
When you vote, you can choose up to three of your favourite bugs. More information on each of the nominees is available by clicking on the image on the homepage. Take your time before you make your decision – you only get to vote once. There are some neat insects that deserve a closer inspection!
Voting opens on January 1st and closes on February 17th, so it's the perfect activity for families or a fun way to start the school year.
Click on the 'Register' button to visit the official website and you can also find helpful resources on this Science Learning Hub event page.
