The giant springtail is a weird little set of paradoxes.
For a start, its status as a giant is only relative to the size of its microscopic cousins - this native critter grows to a maximum of 1cm in length. Also, despite its name, this particular species lacks some crucial mechanisms and cannot, in fact, spring.
Despite these contradictions, the giant springtail – or Holacanthella – has won the hearts of local conservation group Friends of Flora, who are throwing their support behind the striking little invertebrate in the national Bug of the Year competition.
FoF volunteer Sandy Toy reckons that, with its tiny orange spikes, the giant springtail is “one of the weirdest, cutest and most striking beasties” to roam the forests. She says that most people have never laid eyes on one, partly due to the critters’ diminutive size.
Springtails are the recyclers of the forest, breaking down dead wood into nutrients that can be reabsorbed by the trees.
“Holacanthella only occurs in undisturbed old growth forests like the Flora so a vote for it is a vote for our ancient forests,” says Sandy.
Last year, Friends of Flora championed the Mount Arthur giant wētā – an alpine specialist, Sandy reckons.
The wētā came in second, narrowly beaten out by the powdery wings of the New Zealand Red Admiral butterfly.
Sandy has it on good authority that right now, their spiky little invertebrate of choice has a narrow lead, so she is asking the community for as many votes as possible to keep this “gorgeous wee giant” in the top spot.
Voting for Bug of the Year 2025 is now open here. Votes close at midnight on Monday, 17 February, with results announced on Friday, 21 February.
