rice Weevil image Captures Top Prize in 2025 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest
NEW YORK – A striking photograph of a rice weevil perched on a single grain of rice has been awarded first place in the 2025 Nikon small World Photomicrography Contest. The winning image, submitted by Zhang You of Yunnan, China, offers a detailed and artistic look at the often-overlooked agricultural pest. This marks a significant achievement for You, as another of his photographs also placed 15th in this year’s competition.
You emphasized the importance of both scientific understanding and artistic skill in capturing such images. “It pays to dive deep into entomology: understanding insects’ behaviors and mastering lighting,” he stated. “A standout work blends artistry with scientific rigor, capturing the very essence, energy, and spirit of these creatures.”
The winning shot was, in part, a blessed discovery. You explained, ”I had observed rice weevils in grains before, but never one with its wings spread. 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, established in 1974, aims to celebrate the hidden beauty revealed through microscopy. Photomicrography, the technique of photographing objects through a microscope – utilizing either optical or electron microscopy – allows for incredibly high-resolution images. The practice dates back to 1850, with British physiologist Richard Hill norris among the first to employ it in his study of blood cells.As the 1970s, photomicrography has gained increasing recognition as an art form, fueled by significant advancements in digital imaging technology.
