Guardian launches third Invertebrate of the Year poll with Patrick Barkham Q&A

The Guardian has launched the third annual Invertebrate of the Year poll, inviting readers to vote for the planet’s most overlooked creatures. The contest, which celebrates the ecological importance of beetles, slugs, worms, moths and other invertebrates, will be discussed by the newspaper’s natural‑history writer Patrick Barkham at 4 pm BST (11 am EDT) this week. Barkham, who has authored books on badgers, moths and the outdoors, will explain why the poll matters and preview the shortlist that will be released in the coming days.

The previous winners of the Guardian’s Invertebrate of the Year award were the tardigrade and the earthworm, both celebrated for their resilience and ecological roles. This year’s leading candidates include the common woodlouse and the immortal jellyfish, with the full list of contenders to be announced shortly. Barkham’s recent work has covered rewilding projects, the homing habits of swifts and the phenomenon of people impersonating otters, underscoring his broad expertise in natural history.

The poll aims to raise public awareness of the vital contributions that invertebrates make to ecosystems worldwide. Readers are encouraged to cast their votes once the shortlist is unveiled, helping to highlight the species that keep the planet’s infrastructure functioning. The Guardian will continue to report on the results and the stories behind each contender.