Petra Stock

Science editor Ian Sample speaks with climate reporter Petra Stock, environment reporter Oliver Milman and Science Weekly co-host Madeleine Finlay about the Guardian’s 2026 Invertebrate of the Year nominees. Each contributor champions an unusual invertebrate and explains why it deserves to win, with listeners invited to vote before the winner is announced on 17 August.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports Clare O’Neil’s condemnation of Andrew Bragg’s proposal to reduce the National Construction Code to 80 pages and his target of cutting net overseas migration to 180,000 a year. Other developments include Barnaby Joyce’s criticism of homophobic remarks by a One Nation candidate; evidence before NSW ICAC that Liberal MP Chris Rath helped Reformers avoid summonses and that Jeremy Greenwood funded Jean-Claude Perrottet’s travel; and continuing political disputes over Anthony Albanese’s comments about Japan. The day also saw the Commonwealth Bank report a $10.9bn cash profit, Victoria abolish upper-house group voting tickets, gambling-industry influence allegations referred to the anti-corruption watchdog, cancellation of poultry competitions because of H5 bird flu concerns, and an unprecedented decline in giant Australian cuttlefish prompting calls for urgent environmental protection.

The Guardian presents ten notable invertebrates nominated for its 2026 Invertebrate of the Year competition, including woodlice, jellyfish, nudibranchs, cicadas, stick insects, dragonflies, bumblebees, worms, horseshoe crabs and flying squid. Readers are invited to vote before midnight BST on 16 August, with the winner due to be announced on 18 August.

Labor minister Jenny McAllister says the government believes its gambling legislation is broadly right but may accept sensible amendments, particularly concerning wagering inducements, while Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young threatens to withhold support. The live coverage also reports a Jetstar-Qatar Airways near-miss on the Sydney airport tarmac, prompting an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation and temporary departure spacing. Other developments include proposed Victorian hospital security measures, planned immigration integrity reforms, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas’s AI agreement with OpenAI, increased Victorian school funding, NSW’s first local H5 bird-flu cases and several public-safety incidents.

A July dive survey near Whyalla counted only 44 giant Australian cuttlefish and 440 eggs, far below historical populations that reached 247,000 in 2020 and exceeded 63,000 in 2025. Scientists and divers fear a catastrophic decline linked to South Australia’s toxic Karenia cristata algal bloom, which may have killed cuttlefish or disrupted food supplies. The South Australian government says its surveys are complete and that official 2026 estimates will be released after review; conservation advocates are also calling for federal threatened-species assessment under environmental law.

A vigorous cold front is forecast to sweep across southern Australia, bringing damaging winds, widespread rain, thunderstorms and a risk of localised flooding across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Rainfall of 20–40mm is expected broadly, with 50–80mm possible in parts of the south-east, while alpine wind gusts may exceed 100km/h. The system could initially melt existing snow but is expected to deliver substantial fresh snow to higher elevations, improving prospects for Australia’s 2026 ski season, which is no longer tracking as the country’s worst on record.

Keeping outdoor cats indoors, in catios or on harnesses can reduce risks from traffic, fights, disease and the potentially deadly H5N1 bird flu while protecting Australian native wildlife. Experts recommend creating an enriching indoor environment with scratching posts, suitable litter trays, sunlight, play and companionship. Owners are advised to transition cats gradually, monitor their welfare and seek veterinary or behavioural support if problems arise. Cat-containment rules vary across Australian states, territories and local councils.

Australian attorney general Michelle Rowland asked the privacy commissioner to examine risks posed by discreet smartglasses, warning that women and children could be especially vulnerable to recording, harassment and surveillance. The live coverage also reported rising H5 bird flu cases, with South Australia cancelling bird exhibits and Victoria requiring larger poultry producers to house birds temporarily. An inquiry heard evidence of racism and unsafe reporting systems affecting Indigenous students and educators. In New South Wales, ICAC-related investigations involving Liberal figures continued, while a Victorian attempt to register a progressive “Free Palestine Party” was rejected because of its similarity to Avi Yemini’s registered party. Other developments included major Sydney Airport delays blamed on air-traffic-control staffing shortages, the withdrawal of charges against more than 100 Rising Tide protesters, ongoing evidence in the Alan Jones indecent-assault trial, and severe delays for Australian parent visas.

Australia’s H5 bird flu outbreak is causing widespread distress among residents, conservationists and wildlife carers on South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Since the first local case was detected in early July, dozens of suspected and confirmed cases have appeared, including a mass mortality event at Baudin Rocks, with greater crested terns and silver gulls particularly affected. Authorities are monitoring threatened birds and vulnerable marine mammals, while cases and dead terns are also increasing in Victoria. Wildlife clinics are struggling with capacity, protective-equipment requirements and the risk of further transmission, prompting calls for stronger support and better removal of infected carcasses as Australia prepares for potentially severe impacts across hundreds of species.

Australian greengrocer cicadas are bright, abundant insects that have become a treasured collectible in children’s folklore. They spend most of their lives underground, emerge in large batches roughly every seven years, and are expected to appear in especially large numbers in 2027. Males use tymbals and their hollow abdomens to produce mating calls that can reach about 120 decibels at close range, approaching the human pain threshold and sounding like a jet taking off. Despite their volume, the cicadas are celebrated for their striking colors, distinctive calls and ecological fascination.

A global study of 1,758 butterfly species across 105 countries found that about one in 10 have shifted their geographic range or altitude, largely because of climate change and extreme weather. While roughly 80% of shifting species expanded into newly suitable areas, about 27% suffered range contractions, with habitat loss, agriculture and bog drainage also contributing. Lead researcher Shawan Chowdhury said the changes make butterflies important early-warning indicators of wider ecosystem disruption and called for coordinated global monitoring and conservation. A separate restoration project in Melbourne has helped produce a nearly five-fold increase in larvae of the endangered Eltham copper butterfly.

The jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii can reverse its life cycle when injured, starved or exposed to other adverse conditions. Through cellular transdifferentiation, an adult medusa shrinks into a juvenile form and produces a new polyp with the same genome, allowing it to repeat its development and theoretically avoid death from ageing. The species is only a few millimetres long and occurs across regions including the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, although it can still be killed by predators. Scientists view its regenerative ability as one of nature’s most remarkable examples of biological immortality.

Aerial surveillance has identified a cluster of dead and sick greater crested terns in south-west Victoria, raising the prospect of Australia’s second confirmed mass wildlife mortality event from H5 bird flu. CSIRO confirmed Australia’s first such event at Baudin Rocks in South Australia, where about 50 birds were found dead and 30 sick. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt warned that the country faces a long and difficult period, with further mass deaths likely because wild birds and animals cannot be contained. South Australia also reported 18 new confirmed cases, including infections in seabirds and a petrel from the Coorong, prompting concern that the virus is spreading into important wetlands used by waterbirds.

Pauline Hanson barred reporters from the ABC, The Age and The Guardian from a One Nation press conference announcing Victorian election candidates, prompting Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom to accuse her of avoiding scrutiny and undermining press freedom. Australia’s government outlined changes to its News Bargaining Incentive, with former competition regulators, News Corp and the Coalition arguing that the scheme will raise too little and exclude many publishers, while Microsoft welcomed LinkedIn’s inclusion. Authorities confirmed Australia’s first mass H5 bird flu mass mortality event in South Australia and reported a suspected outbreak in Victoria, threatening seabirds and vulnerable species. Other major developments included a fatal incident at a Hunter Valley mine, a Sydney building collapse that injured two men, lower tolls under a NSW-Transurban agreement, and resumed NSW ICAC hearings into alleged interference with an inquiry.

Household chemicals such as paints, pesticides, detergents, bleach, oils and pharmaceuticals can pollute waterways when poured down sinks, toilets or stormwater drains. Experts warn that wastewater treatment does not remove all chemicals, while stormwater often reaches rivers, creeks and oceans untreated; PFAS are especially concerning because they can persist for hundreds of years. Residents are advised to flush only pee, poo and toilet paper, keep sinks and showers to soap suds and water, avoid pouring chemicals or oils into drains, use lower-toxicity alternatives, and take paints, pesticides, petroleum products and medicines to approved collection points or pharmacies.

The murder case involving five-year-old Warlpiri girl Kumanjayi Little Baby has been delayed until 3 December because investigators still have substantial forensic material and witness statements to process; Jefferson Lewis has been charged. The live coverage also reports testimony to Australia’s antisemitism royal commission, limited progress on most Closing the Gap targets, Victorian ministerial resignations, government opposition to Pauline Hanson’s proposed terror laws, legal action against Telegram and Optus, growing bird-flu detections, and housing approvals that remain below the level needed to meet Labor’s construction target.

The southern bent-wing bat population at Naracoorte’s key maternity cave in South Australia fell by about 14–16%, or roughly 5,000 adults, after averaging 28,600 over the previous five years. Scientists do not yet know the cause, but possible factors include habitat clearing, drought, reduced insect prey, disturbance at breeding caves, wind-turbine collisions and disease. The decline is especially serious because the critically endangered bats reproduce slowly and depend heavily on adult survival. Conservation groups and government agencies are restoring caves, native vegetation corridors and food sources, while researchers warn that the species is being pushed closer to extinction.

Australians bought 103,855 battery electric vehicles in the first half of 2026, already exceeding total 2025 sales. EVs accounted for 23.4% of new-car sales in June, up from 10.3% a year earlier, while plug-in hybrids reached 11.5%. Experts attribute the surge to high and uncertain petrol prices linked to the Middle East crisis, new vehicle-efficiency regulations, new model launches and improved vehicle availability. Industry figures say EVs are moving beyond early adopters, though affordability, wider model choice and infrastructure will determine whether the growth is sustained; Australia still trails leading European and Nordic markets.

Puffer jackets have significant environmental impacts because material production accounts for most of their carbon and water footprint, while synthetic fibres generate emissions and microplastics and natural fillings raise animal-welfare concerns. Experts recommend buying fewer, better-quality jackets, choosing secondhand options, following care instructions, repairing and reusing garments for as long as possible, and considering credible down or wool certifications. Recycling remains difficult and expensive because of limited infrastructure and the low cost of virgin polyester, although some brands offer repair and take-back schemes.

The Guardian’s live coverage reported that a former undercover ASIO agent known as Marcus was denied a visitor visa despite the Bondi shooting royal commission wanting his evidence; supporters argued that giving evidence from overseas would reduce his legal protections. Labor MP Ed Husic called for more open internal debate and stronger practical measures on Israel-Palestine. Other major developments included an Origin Energy data breach, the resignation of ACT education minister Yvette Berry after an integrity report, dismissal of Woodside Energy’s case against climate activists, and Labor’s unanimous adoption of an amendment supporting reduced fossil-fuel incentives. The coverage also detailed economic pressure from stronger employment figures and renewed expectations of RBA rate rises, worsening Queensland social-housing waits, a second Victorian teacher strike, rising antisemitism and synagogue security costs, and the deployment of Australian firefighters to California.

Researchers found greater gliders glide an average of 19 meters, far less than previously believed. Data from 41 recorded flights showed they typically launch from high branches and rely heavily on continuous canopy cover. The findings suggest habitat loss and fragmentation pose greater risks than assumed, as the animals struggle to cross large gaps created by logging, roads, or fire. Experts say the reduced glide ability has significant implications for conservation efforts.

A sharp rise in dolphin deaths in South Australia during 2025 and early 2026 is linked by researchers to a severe algal bloom that decimated southern calamari populations, a major food source for common dolphins. Long-term data and postmortem reports show many dolphins were severely emaciated, suggesting food-chain disruption rather than direct toxin exposure. The algal bloom, combined with a prolonged marine heatwave, also affected other marine wildlife. Scientists called for the reinstatement of systematic marine mammal postmortems after a key program ended in 2023, while state authorities acknowledged the likely indirect effects of food scarcity on marine animal mortality.

Native animals in Australia are increasingly injured or killed by entanglement in backyard netting, fences and discarded fishing gear, with flying foxes and platypus among the most affected. Experts warn that large-aperture fruit netting, barbed wire and litter such as fishing line and hair ties cause severe and often fatal injuries, though safer netting options, better disposal practices and simple fence modifications can greatly reduce harm. Wildlife organisations report thousands of preventable cases each year and urge the public to use wildlife‑friendly materials, dispose of waste properly and contact trained rescuers when encountering trapped animals.

Slow‑motion observations of bumblebees show mouthpart reactions resembling mammalian expressions of liking or disliking, with bees extending their glossa after tasting sweet solutions and wiping their mouths in response to unpleasant ones. Experiments across varied conditions indicate that these behaviours depend on context, suggesting subjective internal states and supporting arguments for insect sentience. Experts say the findings contribute to growing evidence that insects may experience simple forms of pleasure or discomfort, challenging assumptions about moral responsibilities toward them.

H5N1 bird flu has reached mainland Australia, with six confirmed cases detected in migratory subantarctic birds across Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Experts describe the virus as highly pathogenic and part of a global panzootic that has killed millions of birds and marine mammals. Authorities report no evidence of spread to poultry but are conducting environmental monitoring to understand transmission. Risks to human health remain low, with most global infections linked to close contact with infected animals. Conservation officials warn that if the virus becomes established in wildlife, it could threaten vulnerable species, including Tasmanian devils, orange-bellied parrots and Australian sea lions. Environmental groups are calling for significant government investment to bolster wildlife resilience and prevent potential large-scale ecological impacts.

A potential spread of the H5N1 bird flu strain to Australian poultry could force farm shutdowns, trigger mass culling and drive egg prices above ten dollars a carton. Business groups warn of major economic effects, while experts highlight that the current variant can infect a wider range of species, increasing biosecurity challenges. Authorities and industry have response plans involving strict containment, movement controls, and euthanasia protocols, with discussions continuing around vaccination, compensation arrangements and the need for more humane culling methods.

A new government‑regulated Solar Sharer offer provides households in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia with three free hours of electricity daily, capped at 24kWh and available to customers with smart meters. The program encourages shifting energy use to midday periods to lower system costs and extend solar benefits to non‑solar households. Experts note that savings depend on how much consumption can be moved into the free window, as higher rates may apply at other times. Alternative free‑power plans from retailers such as GloBird Energy and AGL are already available, and consumers are encouraged to compare offers and verify they are on the best plan.

Energy bills in Australia are expected to fall from July due to the Australian Energy Regulator’s reduced default market offer, but many households and businesses may still face higher costs as some retailers increase fixed supply charges while lowering usage rates. Most consumers are on market offers that do not require retailers to pass on price cuts, contributing to significant variation and complexity across plans. Wholesale and network costs remain the main drivers of electricity pricing. With more than 145,000 plans available, consumer advocates urge regular comparison and switching, as many customers pay more than the regulated safety net despite available savings.

Researchers dated ancient shatter cones and zircon crystals in the North Pole Dome crater, determining a meteorite struck Western Australia about 3 billion years ago. The findings move the site ahead of Yarrabubba as the oldest known impact crater and were supported by analyses of zircon and apatite altered during the collision. Scientists emphasised the rarity and significance of these well-preserved formations for understanding early Earth conditions.

Giant Australian cuttlefish have appeared in unusually low numbers near Whyalla, raising concerns among scientists and locals that a major toxic algal bloom may be responsible. The Karenia cristata bloom, the largest recorded in Australia, remains active along the South Australian coast, with elevated levels detected across multiple sites. Marine ecologist Zoe Doubleday warns the algae can be fatal to cephalopods, while divers have reported only a few dozen cuttlefish in an area that typically hosts thousands during peak breeding season. The decline threatens both the species’ annual aggregation and local tourism, prompting government researchers to monitor conditions as formal surveys begin in the coming weeks.

A brown skua found in Western Australia tested positive for avian influenza, prompting further tests to determine whether it is Australia’s first mainland case of the deadly H5N1 strain. Authorities report no signs of mass bird deaths or infections in poultry, while a second sick bird is also being examined. Government agencies and scientific organisations are coordinating a national response, warning of potentially severe impacts on native wildlife and marine mammals if the virus is confirmed. Conservation groups emphasise the urgency of preparedness due to recent mass deaths of seals and penguins on Heard Island linked to the virus.

More than 13,000 southern elephant seal pups died on Heard Island after the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, with mortality rates reaching up to 97 percent in some areas. Scientists detected infections across six species, including penguins and fur seals, and suspect the virus arrived from the Crozet Islands. The Australian Antarctic Program continues surveillance in other territories, while the federal government has allocated additional funding to prepare for potential impacts on mainland wildlife. Experts warn the expanding subantarctic spread increases the likelihood of H5N1 reaching Australia and stress the importance of public reporting of sick or dead wildlife.

Australia accounts for a disproportionate share of global fatal shark attacks, prompting increased public concern and interest in risk‑reduction strategies. Experts attribute shark bites to factors including mistaken identity, curiosity and defensive behavior, with environmental conditions also influencing encounters. Technologies such as drones, listening stations and smart drum lines can reduce overlap between sharks and swimmers but cannot eliminate risk. Personal electronic deterrents show partial effectiveness, while bite‑resistant wetsuit materials can lessen injury severity. Authorities promote guidelines to minimize encounters and have distributed shark bite kits to enhance emergency response. Combining surveillance, personal deterrents, protective gear and improved first aid is considered the most effective approach to reducing harm.

Experts reject calls by Tony Abbott for shark culling after a serious attack at Coogee Beach, warning that culls are ineffective, ecologically damaging and not supported by evidence. Specialists argue that improved surveillance, including drone use, offers a more practical way to reduce risk. Authorities highlight the protected status of great white sharks and rule out culling while noting rising shark bite rates driven by population growth and ecological factors.

Large bushfires in Victoria have destroyed most of the ancient cypress pines crucial for nesting by endangered pink cockatoos, wiping out nearly all mature hollows in Wyperfeld national park. Ecologists and volunteers are installing artificial nesting hollows and planting replacement pines, but natural recovery will take decades. Traditional owners, conservation groups and park rangers warn that the species faces severe long‑term challenges as remaining habitat is scarce and competition for nesting spaces is intense.