Overview

• Nikon announced the 2025 winners on October 15, selecting a close-up of a rice weevil on a single grain of rice as the top image.
• Second place went to Dr. Jan Rosenboom for a view of Volvox spheres in a water droplet, and third to John-Oliver Dum for pollen caught in a garden spider’s web.
• Zhang You said the winning shot drew on entomological insight, meticulous lighting, and a fortunate encounter with a naturally spread-wing specimen.
• The competition, founded in 1974 and now in its 51st year, highlights images created with light microscopes by researchers and enthusiasts worldwide.
• This year’s gallery spans subjects including brain organoids, zebrafish brain vasculature, fungi, pollen, and plant structures, with another of You’s images placing 15th.