Bug of the year competition taking off

Creepy crawlies are taking centre stage in the annual Aotearoa Bug of the Year competition, with 21 nominees vying for the top spot.

Otago PhD candidate and Otago Entomology Society President Connal McLean says the competition has grown in popularity over the years.

“The Entomological Society of NZ launched the competition in 2022, with the first winner being a ngaro huruhuru (native bee), Leioproctus fulvescens.

“This year, there are almost quadruple the number of votes already entered, with more still coming in each day.

“As a branch of the Entomological Society of NZ, we [Otago Entomology Society] support the competition locally, drumming up interest and votes through outreach events.”

While a bug is technically only one type of insect in the Order Hemiptera (think stink bugs, aphids, cicadas), the competition takes a more egalitarian approach to selecting nominees, covering the wider insect and invertebrate community.

“This year marks the highest taxonomic diversity of nominees, representing four Phyla – Annelida (worms), Arthropoda (insects and spiders), Mollusca (snails and slugs) and Platyhelminthes (flatworms) – eight Classes, and 19 Orders.”

With such a diversity of bugs to choose from, how would one go about picking their favourite?

“Every nominee has a dedicated page on the Bug of the Year website, with a picture, description and additional information links where available,” Connal says.

Or you could vote for your “spirit bug”.

“Each year we aim for different hooks to entice voters, and this year we created a personality quiz, matching each of the 21 nominees with a unique personality type.”

Bug enthusiasts in Ōtepoti can also visit Tūhura Otago Museum for bug-related activities, especially Bug Day on Saturday, 14 February.

Organised by the Otago Entomology Society with the support of the Museum and local bug expert volunteers, Bug Day is a family-friendly event featuring a range of activities celebrating bugs big and small.

“We'll have live bugs – fully contained for the bug-averse out there – face painting, Bug of the Year voting, and tons of information and activities on the amazing critters that keep our planet running, with experts on hand to answer all your buggy questions.

“Some highlights include bookable workshops on robot bugs – creating an automated ‘bristlebot’ bug to take home – talks on bugs in media and the unexpectedly social lives of spiders, and storytelling with the Dunedin City Libraries.”

“Tūhura is backing the Kahuwai Black Tunnelweb Spider and has a whole web of activities planned around this stunning little ambusher."

It promises to be a “day of fun for the whole whānau, rain or shine”.

“Folks really appreciate the opportunity to explore and interact with bugs and creepy crawly content in a safe space staffed with knowledgeable, helpful, and understanding guides into the buggy world.

“There are a lot of young attendees, but the not-so-young and young-at-heart will all find something interesting, engaging, and informative at the various stations and activities that make up the day.”

Bugs may be the main attraction, but the real stars of the show are the volunteers, Connal says.

“Volunteers at the event come from the University – tauira and kaimahi – and local community, and our colleagues at the Museum, including On Lee Lau, Jessica Hatfield, and Christine Wierda.

“We also draw heavily from Otago’s expansive Zoology Department resources and collections, assisted by a fantastic team including Laboratory Technician Janelle Te Raki, Laboratory Technician Shelley Cameron, Senior Lecturer Dr Jenny Jandt, and Laboratory Services Supervisor Nicky McHugh.”

Does Connal have any insights into who the 2026 winner might be?

“There are a few bugs vying for the forerunner position, but we can’t disclose any details. You will have to wait till 20 February to find out, when the winner is announced. But suffice to say, there are quite a few unexpected underdogs (or underbugs) high up in the ranks.”

While Connal might be partial to bees, with his PhD focussed on them, the nominee he is backing this year is the Kouraura Wai Tadpole Shrimp.

“These are fascinating little creatures that despite their name are neither tadpoles nor shrimp.

“They are entirely female and reproduce asexually through a process known as parthenogenesis. Talk about girl power!”

“Tūhura is backing the Kahuwai Black Tunnelweb Spider and has a whole web of activities planned around this stunning little ambusher.

“A marvellous femme-fatale, this spider was the visual inspiration for Shelob in The Lord of the Rings movies, but don't worry, no hobbits were harmed in the making of the Bug of the Year campaign.”

Useful links:

Vote for your favourite bug – voting closes Monday, 16 February.

Find out more about Bug Day. If you’re keen to volunteer for the event, get in touch with Connal McLean.

Did you know: Insects make up over 75% of all animal species, and over half of all life on our planet. In Aotearoa alone, there are over 20,000 species of insects, and that's just the ones discovered so far! If you’re keen on learning more, the Otago Entomology Society is open to everyone with an interest in all things bugs.

~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications