Rice Weevil's Tiny Kingdom Revealed: Winning Nikon Small World Image

Rice Weevil on a Grain of Rice Wins 2025 Nikon Small World Contest A stunning image of a rice weevil on a single grain of rice has taken top honors in the 2025 Nikon Small World photomicrography contest, showcasing the intricate details and behaviors of this common agricultural pest. The winning photograph was captured by Zhang You, a Chinese photographer from Yunnan, China. You's image, which features a rice weevil with its wings spread on a grain of rice, was selected from over 2,000 entries submitted to the contest. In addition to his winning entry, another of You's photographs placed 15th in this year's competition. "The Nikon Small World contest is a celebration of the art and science of photomicrography," said Dr. David Krauss, curator of the contest. "This year's winner demonstrates the incredible detail and beauty that can be captured using microscopy." You attributed his success to a combination of skill and luck. "I had observed rice weevils in grains before, but never one with its wings spread," he explained. "This one was naturally preserved on a windowsill, perhaps in a final attempt to escape. Its tiny size makes manually preparing spread-wing specimens extremely difficult, so encountering it was both serendipitous and inspiring." The Nikon Small World contest has been running for over 40 years, with the goal of showcasing the beauty and complexity of microscopic worlds. The contest has become an annual highlight in the scientific community, attracting entries from photographers around the world. You's winning image is not only a testament to his technical skill but also provides valuable insight into the behavior and structure of rice weevils. "Understanding insects' behaviors and mastering lighting" are key elements in creating standout images, according to You. The implications of this contest extend beyond the scientific community. As our world becomes increasingly dependent on technology, the ability to capture and understand microscopic worlds is becoming more crucial than ever. The Nikon Small World contest serves as a reminder of the importance of exploring and documenting the intricate details of our natural world. With the rise of AI-powered microscopy, the field of photomicrography is evolving rapidly. New technologies are allowing researchers to capture images at unprecedented levels of detail and resolution. As these advancements continue to unfold, it will be exciting to see how they impact our understanding of microscopic worlds. The Nikon Small World contest has set a high standard for this year's winners, and we look forward to seeing the innovative work that will emerge in future competitions. Background: The Nikon Small World contest was founded in 1974 by Dr. David Krauss. The contest aims to showcase the beauty and complexity of microscopic worlds. Over 2,000 entries were submitted for this year's competition. Zhang You's winning image features a rice weevil with its wings spread on a grain of rice. Additional Perspectives: "The Nikon Small World contest is a celebration of the art and science of photomicrography," said Dr. David Krauss, curator of the contest. "Understanding insects' behaviors and mastering lighting" are key elements in creating standout images, according to You. Current Status and Next Developments: The 2025 Nikon Small World contest has concluded with Zhang You's image taking top honors. Future competitions will continue to push the boundaries of photomicrography and microscopy. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*