Which creepy-crawly was named New Zealand's Bug of the Year 2025?

Who won this year's competition?

Are you a lover of all things creepy, crawly, wriggly and squirmy?

Then this one's for you!

The votes are in for New Zealand's Bug of the Year 2025 competition, and the results are pretty gruesome indeed.

The contest doesn't just cover what experts would class as typical bugs, but also includes spiders, worms, and other invertebrates.

So which critter took the top spot this year? Read on to find out...

Velvet worm

It was the velvet worm that was crowned king of the creepy-crawlies this year.

The animal faced some tough competition, with nearly 25,000 votes cast for the 21 nominees, but the velvet worm was popular enough to see off all the other bugs.

The velvet worm, which is also called Ngāokeoke, is certainly a worthy winner.

The invertebrates are usually about two to five centimetres long, and despite their small size, they definitely stand out.

The worms look a bit like caterpillars with thick, squishy bodies, stumpy legs, and they're also covered in spots.

It's not just their appearance that makes velvet worms unique. They're expert predators, shooting their prey with a sticky substance which dissolves them into a soup - ready for them to slurp up!

New Zealand praying mantis

The New Zealand praying mantis was this year's runner-up.

The big-eyed bright green bug is often found in gardens, scrub and wetlands.

Their large front legs, which have a striking blue mark on them, are held up together in front of their body, which makes the insects look like they're praying.

Despite their calm appearance, the New Zealand praying mantis isn't as chilled out as it may first appear.

When unsuspecting prey come near them, they use their front legs to swiftly grab them, capturing a delicious meal.

Giant springtail

The third-place position went to the giant springtail.

The odd-looking animal grows up to 17mm long, making this species the largest springtails in the world.

The creatures typically live on decaying wood in forests, where they munch on fungi, slime mould and dying plants.

Giant springtails are seen to be really important when it comes to the environment, helping with the breakdown of matter like leaves.