Smeagol climoi
The anti-celebrity species! Kiwi love an underdog, and smeags is the ultimate underdog, literally living under ground feeding on waste. Sure, pandas and peripatus are great, but it takes a TRUE nature lover to vote for the gravel maggot. The ultimate anti-hero, never hogs the limelight, or any light at all. Look at this diminutive wee slug; no ego, no hero points, just living it’s best life. It’s just what the world needs right now.
Smeagol gravel maggots are the perfect example of what bug of the year is all about. A recent discovery of a population 500km from the nearest known in the Smeagol genus has helped to raise the profile of gravel maggots, and invertebrates in general that are all around us and ecologically important but difficult to find and study. A a vote for gravel maggot is a vote for ‘ecosystem services’ not drowning in your own filth! Detritivores serve critical functions consuming waste and cycling nutrients back through a system. Without dudes like this we’d all be toast – a vote for smeags is a vote for the crucial role insects play in our lives, even if they’re not all pretty butterflies
The mighty Gravel Maggot, Smeagol this enigmatic wee critter, the unlikely underdog coming out swinging for Bug of the Year 2025 – representing functional diversity and ecosystem services, there ‘s a lot to like here, if you can find one…
Check these links for more info on the Gravel Maggot in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on Smeagol climoi
Critter of the Week: Smeagol the gravel maggot
Otago Daily Times: Possible new species found near Dunedin
The Spinoff: Look at this gravel maggot named Smeagol
Otago Regional Council: Rare Smeagol sea slug population discovered south of Dunedin
images
Click on the image to visit the official observation.
