Rice Weevil Wins Top Honor in Nikon’s 51st Small World Photo Contest

The 51st annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has crowned an unlikely subject as its champion: a rice weevil ( $Sitophilus\ oryzae$ ), captured in stunning detail that transforms the common agricultural pest into a microscopic marvel.

Zhang You, a photographer and entomologist from Kunming, China, was awarded the first-place prize for his image of the weevil mounted on a grain of rice with its wings fully extended. The photo, a product of You’s years dedicated to ecological and insect science photography, was praised for its blend of artistic vision and scientific rigor.

“It pays to dive deep into entomology: understanding insects’ behaviors and mastering lighting,” You said. “A standout work blends artistry with scientific rigor, capturing the very essence, energy, and spirit of these creatures.”

Serendipity and Technique

The winning image was no small undertaking. You used a medium-format camera and a 5x microscope objective, capturing over 100 images for focus stacking to achieve the depth and clarity required. The entire process of cleaning, lighting, and post-processing took two weeks.

The subject itself was a fortunate discovery. You explained that he had never before observed a rice weevil with its wings spread, and the specimen was “naturally preserved on a windowsill, perhaps in a final attempt to escape.” This serendipitous find allowed him to capture the insect’s structure and behavior in a way that is notoriously difficult to replicate manually.

A Banner Year for a First-Time Entrant

Zhang You’s success is even more remarkable considering this was his first time entering the prestigious competition.

“His achievement highlights the spirit of Nikon Small World: inspiring wonder, making scientific understanding accessible to all, and celebrating the artistry of the microscopic realm,” said Eric Flem, Senior Manager, Communications and CRM at Nikon Instruments. Adding to his win, You also secured 15th place with an image of a Geometer moth laying eggs.

The Best of the Microscopic World

The competition, which celebrates over five decades of excellence, recognised 71 photos out of thousands of global entries.

Other top-ranking images included heart muscle cells, spores of a small tropical fern, and rat liver cells, demonstrating the vast range of subjects that microscopy illuminates.

The full gallery of winning images from the 51st Nikon Small World competition is available for viewing online, inviting audiences to explore the complexity hidden within communities both familiar and unseen.

To see more and view the honourable mentions, please visit Nikon Small World 2025 Photomicrography Competition