And the winner is …. the Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly (Rhyothemis graphiptera) … and it’s a formidable mosquito hunter with tiger-striped wings.
‘Congratulations to this year’s winner – the Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly!’ said Binna Burra Lodge Chairman, Steve Noakes. ‘Discovered by University of Queensland researcher, James Tweed on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape, our Binna Burra Beetle (aka ‘bird dropping beetle’ or the ‘punk beetle’ – Exastra albopilosa) didn’t make the podium this year coming in #4 with 14.8% (3,548) of the votes.’
Coming in #2 was the greengrocer cicada (Cyclochilla australiasiae), chosen by 18.7% of respondents (4,482 votes), ahead of the duck-billed Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus montanus) chosen by 16 % (3,826). The #5 position went to the giant rainforest mantis (Heirodula majuscula) with 12.7 per cent (3,038) and in last place was the mountain katydid (Acripeza reticulata) with 12.1 per cent (2,884).
Dr Ken Walker senior curator of entomology from Museums Victoria Research Institute who nominated the graphic flutterer dragonfly said: “There’s so much more we can learn. About 70 per cent of Australia’s estimated 200,000 insects haven’t even been formally described.”
The announcement of the ABC 2025 Australian Insect of the Year coincides with Australian Pollinator Week, from November 8-16, and the launch of Bug Hunt — a national citizen science project developed jointly by Invertebrates Australia, the Invasive Species Council and Australian Geographic.
Links:
2025 Insect of the Year details are at:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-07/2025-abc-insect-of-the-year-graphic-flutterer-dragonfly/105972966
Insects of Woonoongoora – Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia.
