Weevils, spores, slime mold and cells are in extreme closeup for the 51st anniversary of the Nikon Small World competition. For more than five decades, the award has brought scientific wonders under the microscope, with scientists, artists and enthusiasts from 77 countries contributing 1,925 photo entries this year alone. Judges have arrived at this stunning top 20.
Main image: Thirteenth Place
Slime mold (Arcyria major). Arcyria major lives on decaying wood and is a bright coral-pink colour, which fades to dull reddish-brown when old. Photograph: Henri Koskinen/Nikon Small World
Wed 15 Oct 2025 16.00 CEST
First place
