Vote for Your Favourite Invertebrate of the Year 2025!
Every year, The Guardian embarks on a fascinating journey to celebrate the unsung heroes of the animal kingdom—invertebrates. These incredible creatures make up the vast majority of life on Earth, yet they often go unnoticed. In 2025, we continue this tradition, inviting you to vote for your favourite invertebrate from our carefully curated selection of ten remarkable candidates.
Meet the Contenders
- The Tongue-biting Louse: Known for its unique lifestyle, this creature enters through fish gills, attaches itself to the fish’s tongue, and shares its host’s meals. Read more about the tongue-biting louse.
- The Dark-edged Bee-fly: Often mistaken for a bee, this fly captivates observers with its twerking movements. Discover more about the bee-fly.
- Milnesium Tardigradum: A resilient micro-animal that has survived five major extinction events. Learn about its survival strategies.
- The Flamboyant Cuttlefish: This small yet tough creature can ward off predators with a display of vivid colors. Get dazzled by the cuttlefish!
- The Giant Gippsland Earthworm: Reaching up to three meters, this gigantic invertebrate is a true wonder. Explore the world of the giant worm.
- All-Female Microscopic Common Rotifer: Thriving without males for millions of years, this species exemplifies evolutionary ingenuity. Intrigued? Find out more about them.
- The Fen Raft Spider: Masterful at walking on water, this spider has made a remarkable comeback from near-extinction. Dive into the spider’s story.
- The Ultra-rare Amber Comet Firefly: Emitting a spectacular burning flash followed by a glow, this firefly is a rare spectacle. Catch a glimpse of the firefly.
- The Wētāpunga: This giant, flightless grasshopper is the heaviest insect in the world. Meet this colossal grasshopper!
- The Monarch Butterfly: Famous for its extensive 3,000-mile migration, the monarch is not just beautiful but astonishingly resilient. Follow the monarch’s journey.
Make Your Voice Heard: It’s Voting Time
Now that you know these astonishing invertebrates, it’s time to vote for your favourite. This contest isn’t merely about choosing a winner; it embodies our commitment to celebrating the myriad forms of life that populate our planet.
Your participation adds value—not just in crowning a winner but in raising awareness about the diversity and importance of invertebrate life. The winner will be announced next week, highlighting the species that captivates the hearts of our readers.
Share Your Thoughts
Your feedback matters. Whether you wish to share a personal story about your connection to any of these creatures or just vote, your contribution is secure with us. Use our SecureDrop service for true anonymity. You’re not just voting, but engaging in a broader conversation about Earth’s life tapestry.
Explore More
For those eager to expand their understanding of invertebrates and other environmental topics, we encourage you to delve into these areas:
Join us in cherishing these brilliant species and recognizing their significance in our global ecosystem.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/02/invertebrate-of-the-year-2025-vote-for-your-favourite