Phil Sirvid – författare

What are arachnids? How do spiders differ from harvestmen, pseudoscorpions, mites and ticks? What makes the arachnid species that are unique to Aotearoa so special? How are webs made? How do they hunt prey, eat and defend themselves? Where do they live? Which are venomous? Which can you find in your house? What makes some arachnids the stuff of nightmares? In this fun-filled, fact-rich, and highly illustrated book, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard and Te Papa spider expert Phil Sirvid share the magic, secrets, mysteries and marvels of Aotearoa New Zealand's abundance of eight-legged beasties, from microscopic mites to spiders as large as your hand. They also profile some of the men and women who have helped build our knowledge in this area.

A FUN, FASCINATING AND REVEALING BOOK ABOUT THE STRANGE AND WONDERFUL CRITTERS OF AOTEAROAWhat do you call a grasshopper dressed as a gladiator? Why are sandfly bites so itchy? What links insects and Maori whakairo (carving)? How does a glow worm glow? Why does this book include sorcerers, vampires and dragons? What makes insects in Aotearoa so special? From our backyards to high in the mountains, through forests, along coastlines, and in the darkness of caves, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard and Te Papa insect expert Phil Sirvid answer these questions and more. Share in the secrets and marvels of our natural world through stunning close-up photographs, matauranga Maori, insightful explanations, and meet-the-expert profiles.

Part of the wildly popular Te Papa Te Taiao NatureSeries, Native Spiders of Aotearoa is an accessible, handsomely illustratedguide to fifty of New Zealand’s most interesting native arachnid species, mostof which are endemic to New Zealand. Written by Te Papa entomology curator Phil Sirvid, NativeSpiders includes curator notes on each species, insights into the museum’sfieldwork and collections and detailed drawings by specialist illustrators. A beautiful little hardback designed by award-winningdesigner Tim Denee, it’s an ideal keepsake or gift that can be used in thebackyard or out in the natural world.