Australia has named the graphic flutterer dragonfly (Rhyothemis graphiptera) as its top insect for 2025. This dragonfly, known for its striking tiger-striped wings, won the title in an online poll conducted in October, receiving 25.7% of the votes, which amounted to 6,137 votes. The poll attracted nearly 24,000 participants, making it a significant event in the celebration of native insects.

The graphic flutterer dragonfly joins the blue banded bee (Amegilla cingulata), the winner of the previous year’s award, as a recognized champion of Australia’s insect diversity. Following the dragonfly in the voting was the greengrocer cicada (Cyclochilla australiasiae), which garnered 18.7% of the votes, and the duck-billed Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus montanus), with 16%. Other finalists included the bird dropping beetle (Exastra albopilosa), the giant rainforest mantis (Heirodula majuscula), and the mountain katydid (Acripeza reticulata).

Ken Walker, senior curator of entomology at Museums Victoria Research Institute, nominated the graphic flutterer. He expressed hope that the competition would spark greater interest in native insects. "Dragonflies are such amazing creatures, and the graphic flutterer is my favorite, so I'm obviously thrilled so many Australians agree," Walker said. He emphasized the importance of discussing insects more broadly, noting that about 70% of Australia’s estimated 200,000 insect species have yet to be formally described.

The ABC Insect of the Year initiative was launched last year to promote awareness of Australia’s diverse insect population. This year’s nominations came from various experts, including Melinda Moir, president of the Australian Entomological Society, and Kate Umbers, founding director of Invertebrates Australia.

The announcement of the 2025 winner coincides with Australian Pollinator Week, which runs from November 8-16. It also marks the launch of Bug Hunt, a national citizen science project developed by Invertebrates Australia, the Invasive Species Council, and Australian Geographic. This project encourages community members to photograph insects and upload their observations to the iNaturalist AU database.

Alison Mellor, co-lead of the Bug Hunt project, highlighted the importance of community engagement in insect research and conservation. "When we can drive that interest towards using citizen science tools like iNaturalist, and people are submitting their records of invertebrates they're seeing around them, that really can create a valuable resource for scientists to help inform their research," Mellor said.

She noted that approximately 1,000 native Australian invertebrates are currently listed as threatened, and many others may be at risk due to insufficient scientific research. Mellor pointed out that funding for research often prioritizes birds and mammals, but increased focus on insects like dragonflies and native bees could lead to greater awareness and funding for invertebrate conservation efforts.

The upcoming Bugs in My Backyard Week, scheduled for November 17-23, is expected to further enhance community involvement in insect observation and conservation efforts.