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 had 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 hometown 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.”
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. The following pages include a photo review that includes the winning photo and finalist photos.

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