Experts have nominated two butterflies, a pair of beetles, a signal fly and a glow-worm as 2026 ABC Insect of the Year finalists. Now you get to help decide the winner.

The Australian Insect of the Year is an annual online poll run by the ABC in partnership with insect conservation organisations. This year it’s the CSIRO, Invertebrates Australia, Australian Entomological Society and Zoos Victoria, along with Gardening Australia magazine and A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Australia.

Their finalists:

Gold Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus aureus)

Mallee Bronze Azure butterfly (Ogyris subterrestris)

Orchard swallowtail butterfly (Papilio aegeus)

Otway glow-worm (Arachnocampa otwayensis)

Stalk-eyed signal fly (Achias australis)

Tortoise-shelled ladybird (Harmonia testudinaria)

You can learn about the finalists (and show any kids in your life) and cast your vote from this article until the end of October.