Ngāokeoke crowned Bug of the Year 2025

Friday 21 February 2025 · 6 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 21 Feb 2025, 3:00pm

The New Zealand velvet worm, also known as ngāokeoke, has been named Bug of the Year for 2025. This ancient creature is estimated to have existed in Aotearoa for 500 million years and is characterised by its blue, velvety body and orange spots.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffFri 21 Feb 2025, 8:53am

   Prehistoric ngāokeoke crowned Bug of the Year 2025 (opens in new tab)

2. The Post via RNZFri 21 Feb 2025, 12:35pm

   Ancient worm-like creature that shoots slime crowned Bug of the Year (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab), RNZ (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldFri 21 Feb 2025, 3:00pm

   Bug of the Year 2025 goes to the New Zealand velvet worm (opens in new tab)