Backyard creepy-crawlies

Jordan Carter, 13, gets close and personal with a giant native centipede. Picture / Dean Purcell

Large native spiders, centipedes and edible wood fungus were just some of the finds scientists uncovered in a suburban Auckland backyard.

The backyard biodiversity count in Yvette Carter's Henderson home was just one component in the annual BioBlitz event, which this year sees about 40 scientists scour the reserves in and around the Corban Estate in a 24-hour attempt to identify species in the area.

Landcare Research arachnologist Grace Hall said discoveries included the banded tunnel web spider and the ground hunting spider, found living under a pile of 4 x 2 in the Carters' backyard.

"They're some of our largest native spiders and they're something people don't usually see."

Even though the Carter home borders a reserve, scientists were surprised to find a large native centipede measuring 8cm long. Fully grown, the native bush dweller can grow up to 15cm.

Landcare Research mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan said the dry summer months meant fungi were scarce, but good specimens of the edible wood ear were found on logs.

More scientists were expected to visit the Carters' backyard last night and most of today for the BioBlitz, which is in its third year. The count will finish at 2pm today and data will be used for urban management, allowing for pests to be monitored or controlled, and native species needing extra care to be identified.