Guardian opens public vote for Invertebrate of the Year 2026
Ten spineless finalists, from woodlice to bootlace worms, compete for the Guardian's third annual title ahead of an August 17 announcement.
What to know
- The Guardian's third annual Invertebrate of the Year competition narrowed thousands of reader suggestions to a shortlist of ten species.
- Public voting is open on theguardian.com, with the winner due to be unveiled on 17 August 2026.
- Guardian journalists Ian Sample, Madeleine Finlay, Oliver Milman and Petra Stock promoted the shortlist through a podcast and video, each championing a chosen invertebrate.
- The evidence provided does not include the announcement of the eventual winner.
“Nice to see my piece on invertebrate comms actually in print!”
vickihird.bsky.social, Bluesky user, contributor · Bluesky · Aug 14
Ian Sample Guardian science editorMadeleine Finlay Guardian Science Weekly co-hostOliver Milman Guardian environment reporterPetra Stock Guardian climate reporter
The record 4 articles and posts · last 30 days
What people are saying 3 voices from 2 sites · verbatim
- Aug 15
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Dont forget to vote! #InvertebrateOfTheYear at @theguardian.com - vote here- it's as easy and quick as smelling a flower bug chat. www.theguardian.com/environment/...? Nice to see my piece on invertebrate comms actually in print!
- Aug 13
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The mindblowing invertebrates you have never heard of https://www. theguardian.com/environment/vi deo/2026/aug/13/the-mindblowing-invertebrates-you-have-never-heard-of-video?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
- Aug 12
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# science # nature # wildLife Guardian readers have helped to create a shortlist of 10 invertebrate creatures from 1000s that were available to chosee from. Now there is a chance to vote for your favourite: is it the humble woodlouse with hidden superpowers, the dragonfly that migrates further than any other insects or the bootlace worm that could…