The 2025 Insect of the Year title has been claimed by a stunning dragonfly, igniting a buzz in the world of entomology! But wait, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
The Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly (Rhyothemis graphiptera) has soared to fame, capturing the hearts of Australians with its tiger-striped wings and mosquito-hunting prowess. In a recent online poll, it snatched over 25% of the votes, leaving its insect competitors in the dust. This victory follows the 2024 win of the Blue Banded Bee, marking the second year of the ABC Australian Insect of the Year award.
The competition was fierce, with nearly 24,000 voters casting their preferences. The Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly emerged as the clear favorite, while the Greengrocer Cicada and Duck-billed Christmas Beetle secured second and third places, respectively. Other notable contenders included the Bird Dropping Beetle, Giant Rainforest Mantis, and Mountain Katydid, each with a significant portion of the votes.
This dragonfly's nomination came from a senior curator with a passion for entomology, Dr. Ken Walker. He believes that the popularity of these finalists will spark a broader interest in Australia's native insects, many of which are still shrouded in mystery. Dr. Walker's favorite, the Graphic Flutterer, is just one of the estimated 200,000 insect species in Australia, 70% of which have yet to be formally studied and described.
The ABC Insect of the Year initiative, launched in 2024, aims to shine a spotlight on the diverse and vital insect life in Australia. This year's competition featured nominations from esteemed entomologists, authors, and experts in the field, further emphasizing the importance of these tiny creatures.
Coinciding with Australian Pollinator Week and the launch of Bug Hunt, a citizen science project, the Insect of the Year announcement takes on even greater significance. Bug Hunt encourages Australians to photograph insects and contribute their findings to the iNaturalist AU database, fostering a community-driven approach to research and conservation.
Alison Mellor, co-lead of the Bug Hunt project, highlights the impact of citizen science. By engaging the public in insect observation, valuable data is generated, potentially leading to increased research funding and conservation efforts for invertebrates. This is particularly crucial as many Australian invertebrates are threatened, and limited scientific research may be masking an even greater risk of extinction.
But here's where it gets controversial: while charismatic insects like dragonflies and bees capture public attention, other less 'glamorous' species may be overlooked. Is the Insect of the Year award doing enough to raise awareness for all Australian insects, or is it inadvertently creating a popularity contest?
What do you think? Should the focus be on the most visually appealing insects, or is there a need to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the insect world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
