The Royal Entomological Society Photography Award isn’t just another photo contest—it’s basically the Olympics of insect imagery. Run by the UK’s leading insect science charity, the annual competition celebrates the rising global obsession with macro photography and the storytellers brave enough to zoom into worlds most of us never notice. In 2025, the contest shattered records, pulling in over 3,000 entries from photographers across 110+ countries, making it the biggest and most competitive year in the Society’s history.
And right at the center of that global swarm? Indian photographer Raghuram Annadana, whose jaw-dropping image “Parasitic Play” took the top honor.
The overall winner is Raghuram Annadana (Instagram: @macro_by_raghu) for his photo ‘Parasitic Play’ showing the eggs of a Banana Skipper butterfly (Erionota thrax) taken in India. He captured a parasitic wasp in the act of laying its own eggs inside the butterfly eggs.
The winning photograph captures a moment that feels straight out of a sci-fi thriller—except it’s 100% real. Shot in India, the image shows the eggs of a Banana Skipper butterfly (Erionota thrax), each just 1.8mm in size, while an even tinier parasitic wasp lays its own eggs inside them. It’s raw nature, unscripted and ruthless, frozen in stunning detail. What makes the image special isn’t just the technical mastery—it’s the story. Life, survival, and strategy playing out on a scale smaller than a grain of rice.
Speaking about the moment, Raghuram recalls spotting the butterfly eggs during a casual macro walk. Only through the lens did the drama unfold. That’s the magic of macro photography—it doesn’t just show you what’s there; it reveals what’s happening. And with this single frame, Raghuram didn’t just win an award—he put Indian macro photography firmly on the world stage.
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More Stunning Macro Photos from Raghuram Annadana’s Portfolio
Step deeper into Raghuram Annadana’s macro universe, where every frame reveals a hidden story unfolding at millimeter scale. From jewel-toned insects to intense moments of survival caught in real time, his portfolio is a masterclass in patience, precision, and pure curiosity.
#1. Pentatomidae Clutch
#2. Brettus jumping spider with prey (Brettus cingulatus)
#3. Emerald Cuckoo wasp (Stilbum sp.)
#4. Eristalinus megacephalus
#5. Leaping frog
From R&D Engineer to Award-Winning Macro Storyteller
Raghuram Annadana’s journey into the global photography spotlight didn’t begin in a studio—it started with curiosity. By profession, he’s an R&D engineer, but behind the spreadsheets and systems lives a deeply curious observer of the natural world. What began as a casual hobby slowly turned into a serious artistic pursuit driven by one simple question: what are we missing right under our feet?
Drawn to insects and tiny creatures most people walk past without a second glance, Raghuram found himself hooked on macro photography. The deeper he went, the more he realized these miniature lives carry epic stories—stories of survival, adaptation, and astonishing beauty. Armed with patience and high-magnification techniques, he began crafting images that don’t just document insects, but humanize their existence.
His approach is calm, intentional, and deeply respectful of nature. Raghuram photographs his subjects in their natural environments, never staging scenes or interfering with behavior. That authenticity is what gives his work emotional weight. You’re not just seeing an insect—you’re witnessing a moment that might never happen again.
Today, his work stands as proof that you don’t need exotic locations or massive creatures to tell powerful wildlife stories. Sometimes, the most unforgettable dramas are unfolding quietly on a single leaf.
#6. Lycosa
#7. Long horn beetle
#8. Deadly Elegance
#9. Dragonfly Emergence
#10. Long Horn Beetle
Inside the Hidden World of Insects Through High-Magnification Magic
Macro photography isn’t just about getting close—it’s about seeing differently. Raghuram specializes in high-magnification techniques that reveal textures, patterns, and behaviors invisible to the naked eye. Every frame is a technical challenge: razor-thin depth of field, unpredictable subjects, and lighting conditions that change in seconds.
But technical skill is only half the story. What truly sets Raghuram’s work apart is intention. His images are designed to slow viewers down, forcing them to engage with creatures they might otherwise dismiss as pests. Through his lens, insects become architectural wonders—delicate wings, jewel-like eyes, and complex interactions that feel almost cinematic.
There’s also a deeper message woven into his work. Many of the species he photographs are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and climate change. By spotlighting their beauty and complexity, Raghuram hopes to spark empathy—and ultimately, conservation awareness.
In a world obsessed with the loud and the large, his photography reminds us that the smallest lives often carry the biggest lessons.
#11. Tachinid fly
#12. A nomad with a borrowed home
#13. Rhene
#14. Antlion
#15. Lacewings
Global Recognition and a Growing Legacy in Macro Photography
Winning the Royal Entomological Society Photography Award is a career-defining moment—but it’s far from Raghuram Annadana’s first recognition. His work has already earned spots in prestigious international competitions like Nikon Small World and CUPOTY, where only the most technically refined and creatively bold images make the cut.
These accolades place him among a global community of elite macro photographers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with a camera and a curious mind. Yet despite the recognition, Raghuram remains grounded. For him, awards are milestones—not the destination.
His larger mission is education and inspiration. Through his images and writing on wildlife macro photography, he invites viewers to reconnect with nature on an intimate scale. To look closer. To care more. And to realize that wonder doesn’t always roar—it often whispers.
With “Parasitic Play”, Raghuram hasn’t just won a trophy. He’s opened a window into a world most of us never knew existed—and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
#16. Leaf cutter bee (Megachile bicolor)
#17. Long Horn Beetle
#18. Brettus
#19. Life and Death
#20. Dwarf Gecko
In Summary
Who won the Royal Entomological Society Photography Award 2025?
Indian photographer Raghuram Annadana won the overall award for his macro photograph “Parasitic Play.”
What is the winning photo about?
The image captures a parasitic wasp laying eggs inside the eggs of a Banana Skipper butterfly, revealing a rare and dramatic moment in insect life.
Where was the winning photograph taken?
The photograph was taken in India during a macro photography walk.
What makes the Royal Entomological Society Photography Award special?
It is one of the world’s most respected insect photography competitions, attracting thousands of entries globally and celebrating both art and science.
What type of photography does Raghuram Annadana specialize in?
He specializes in wildlife macro photography, focusing on insects and small creatures in their natural environments.
