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Invertebrate of the year 2026: vote for your favourite
The Guardian • • science
Key Points:
- Voting is now open for the 2026 Invertebrate of the Year, highlighting the importance and diversity of spine-less animals, which include over 1.3 million species such as jellyfish, bumblebees, spiders, and worms.
- Despite their crucial ecological roles, invertebrates often receive less attention compared to vertebrates like pandas and lions.
- A shortlist of 10 remarkable invertebrates has been selected from thousands of reader nominations, with voting open until midnight on Sunday, 16 August, and the winner announced on Tuesday, 18 August.
- The nominees include fascinating species like the immortal jellyfish, the solar-powered leaf sheep sea slug, the loud greengrocer cicada, and the ancient horseshoe crab.
- Readers are encouraged to appreciate invertebrates in everyday environments, as many extraordinary creatures may be found just under a stone, in a pond, or nearby.
