A worm-like creature that shoots jets of fluid to capture its prey has been named New Zealand's Bug of the Year.
The peripatus, also known as ngokeoke or New Zealand velvet worm,was crowned winner after earning 2,652 of the 24,985 votes cast in the competition run by the Entomological Society of New Zealand.
Plant and Food Research research associate Julia Palmer said the velvet worm was "not technically" a bug.
"This incredible species could represent the peak of evolution - a living testament to the gods' perfect creation," she said.
"These fascinating creatures have remained virtually unchanged for the last 500 million years, bridging the gap between worms and insects with their long velvet bodies and stumpy pairs of legs."
They shoot jets of fluid to capture their prey, dissolving it into a soup to eat, Palmer said.
"These living fossils are unlike anything else."
The New Zealand praying mantis - one of the few mantises that doesn't commonly perform sexual cannibalism - took silver in the competition.
The giant springtail, with yellow and orange spines and a tendency to defensively bleed if disturbed, placed third.
The battle for top bug was launched in 2023, inspired by the country's wildly popular and at times controversial - bird of the year competition. —dpa
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