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Six finalists for the 2026 ABC Australian Insect of the Year include two butterflies, two beetles, a glow-worm and a stalk-eyed fly. Voting is open until the end of October.
The 2026 ABC Australian Insect of the Year finalists have been announced, featuring six remarkable insects: the blue-banded bee (2024 winner), the graphic flutterer dragonfly (2025 winner), the Mallee Bronze Azure butterfly, the gold Christmas beetle, the Otway glow-worm, and a stalk-eyed fly. The annual online poll, run by the ABC with insect conservation organizations, invites the public to vote for their favourite until the end of October. The winner will be announced on November 9, coinciding with the start of Australian Pollinator Week.
Expert Nominations and Conservation Stories
This year's top six were nominated by the CSIRO, Invertebrates Australia, Australian Entomological Society, Zoos Victoria, Gardening Australia magazine, and A Naturalist's Guide to the Insects of Australia. Eminent entomologist Ken Walker, who nominated last year's champion, the graphic flutterer dragonfly, said each finalist represents an important story about insects. Through charismatic creatures like butterflies and beetles, Australians can learn about insects, most of which remain unnamed and unknown.
Two finalists, the Mallee Bronze Azure butterfly and the gold Christmas beetle, are currently subjects of conservation programs at Zoos Victoria and Invertebrates Australia, respectively. Dr Walker noted that countless insect species could be subjects of conservation programs if more was known about their plight.
Voting Details and Insect Conservation
Voting for the 2026 Australian Insect of the Year is open until the end of October. The winner will be announced on November 9, aligning with Australian Pollinator Week. Dr Walker emphasized the importance of conservation, stating that insects play an essential role in nature and agriculture, and we need to protect them and mitigate factors that reduce their populations.
Dr Walker highlighted that only 30 per cent of Australia's insect fauna is named, leaving 70 per cent unnamed. He also pointed out that 90 per cent of crops rely on insect pollination, while only 1 per cent of known insects are pest species. He said that without insects, we are all stuffed.
Focus on Life Cycles and Unique Species
Dr Walker noted that public awareness often centers on the adult life stage, but insects have complex life cycles including eggs, larvae, and pupae. The nomination of the Otway glow-worm, the larval stage of a gnat, highlights this. The glow-worm is unique to south-west Victoria and is a magnificent tourist drawcard, yet highly susceptible to ecological disturbance.
The stalk-eyed fly, found in north Queensland, feeds on rotting fruit and animal faeces, helping to clean up the environment. The tortoise-shelled ladybird, about 6 millimetres, is a voracious predator of pests like aphids. The orchard swallowtail, also known as the Australian citrus butterfly, is one of the largest and most spectacular butterflies; its larvae rarely cause lasting damage to citrus and adults are important pollinators.
Previous winners include the blue-banded bee (2024) and the graphic flutterer dragonfly (2025). Dr Walker hopes that through Insect of the Year, the public will learn about the importance of conservation and the vital roles insects play in ecosystems and agriculture.
Australian Insect Of The Year Ken Walker CSIRO Zoos Victoria Otway Glow-Worm Mallee Bronze Azure Butterfly Australian Pollinator Week
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