Crush-worthy cephalopods and beautiful bugs – vote for the invertebrate of the year

Of the 1.3m spineless wonders in the world, you told us your favourites. Now it’s time to pick the winner Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here It’s raining in Melbourne as I write this, and on my way to work I saw pale pink earthworms everywhere, scattered and exposed all over the footpath like soft-bodied streamers. It was a visible reminder, as I dodged to avoid squishing the inaugural winners, in 2024, of the invertebrate of the year contest, of the magnificent array of 1.7m invertebrate species we share the planet with. The Guardian’s annual celebration of the spineless gives us a chance to appreciate and celebrate invertebrates in all their weirdness and magnificence, whether they be furry, fast-flying, gelatinous or beady-eyed. We’re lucky to have them, after all, and not just for the jobs they perform – recycling our waste, pollinating our crops, and filtering our water – but also for the joy they bring (hello, bumblebees!). Especially when so much of the world’s biodiversity news is devastating. More than 1,300 readers have nominated their favourites. We have weevilled it down to the top 10. Now, it’s time for you to vote – after