PCT Announces Winner of 12th Annual Photo Contest

Dr. Stephen Doggett, senior hospital scientist at Westmead Hospital’s Medical Entomology Department (Australia), was announced as the winner of PCT’s 12th Annual Best Pest Photo Contest for his entry of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) that has been captured by a flower spider.

RICHFIELD, OHIO — Dr. Stephen Doggett, senior hospital scientist at Westmead Hospital’s Medical Entomology Department (Australia), was announced as the winner of PCT’s 12th Annual Best Pest Photo Contest for his entry of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) that has been captured by a flower spider. He wins $500 from PCT.

In addition to the “main event” struggle, small flies (possible phorid flies) are feeding on the carcass of the bee, Doggett said..
 
“The photo was captured in Sydney, Australia, near my home town in western Sydney,” Doggett said. “My partner and I were out walking the dogs and saw the bee with its 'friends.' I had to rush home to grab my camera and take a few shots in fading light.”

Comments from PCT’s judges included:

"Truly amazing that the photographer was able to capture so much action in one shot."

"Such a cool perspective. Bad day for the bee. A nice crisp photo."

"Are those babies on the bee? This shot captured a good moment and shows action.”

Stephen Doggett

Doggett becomes PCT’s second two-time winner. He won the seventh annual competition with a paper wasp photo.

PCT received more than 70 entries for this year’s contest. We will be including a photo review of the 10 finalist photos online and in the pages of an upcoming issue of PCT.