New Zealand bug of the year: moth named Avatar after mining threat crowned winner

The Avatar moth, a critically endangered insect endemic to the Denniston Plateau and Mount Rochfort in New Zealand, has been named the country's "Bug of the Year." The moth, discovered in 2012, earned over 5,000 votes, surpassing other contenders like the mahoenui giant wētā. Named after the Avatar films, the moth's name highlights the threat of proposed mining expansion in its habitat, mirroring the film's theme of environmental destruction. Forest & Bird, a conservation group, supported the moth's nomination to raise awareness about its precarious existence and the potential impact of fast-tracked mining approvals on public conservation land. The competition aims to spotlight the importance of protecting New Zealand's unique species.

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