Read, Watch or Listen

An arresting photograph of a rice weevil poised on a single grain of rice has won the 2025 Nikon Small World photomicrography contest, offering fresh insight into the structure and behavior of this well-known agricultural pest. The image, made by Zhang You of Yunnan, China—who also placed 15th—balances artistry and scientific rigor, he said, crediting deep entomological study and lighting. Luck helped, too: he had never seen a weevil with wings spread until finding one naturally preserved on a windowsill, a serendipitous moment underscored by the difficulty of preparing such tiny spread-wing specimens.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.