benkurek__
Ben Kurek Curator
Joined: Apr 1, 2017 Last Active: Sep 22, 2023 iNaturalist Australia
I am a 23 year old arachnologist, aspiring taxonomist, and nature lover specialising in Sparassidae (Huntsman spiders) of Australia. I have always had a particular fascination in arthropods and the natural world, particularly spiders and insects (Huntsman spiders and moths currently being my favourites). I am a member of the Entomological Society of Victoria and am their spider specialist.
I currently do ID's for mainly the following taxa which I have grouped in this project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ben-s-ids
However, I make sure all the Australian spider observations are correctly ID'd. Having said that, I also have general knowledge in all Australian spiders so feel free to tag me if you require assistance. I can try to assist with moth ID's too, so feel free to tag me for these also. I try to go out of my comfort zone and make a concealed effort and ID taxa I am not very knowledgeable in. I also like to provide broad IDs to make IDing easier for people.
I am currently working on a field guide for huntsman spiders of Australia. I am also preparing to revise isopeda alpina group as well as describe any unnamed Australian huntsmen.
@java0updatebackup@gmail.com (I made this email when I was a kid haha)
Based in Melbourne, Victoria.
Entomological Society of Victoria: https://entsocvic.org.au/
Australian Huntsmen links:
Huntsmen of New South Wales and the ACT:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=6825&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of the Northern Territory: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=9994&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of Queensland:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=7308&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of South Australia: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=6899&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of Tasmania:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=6829&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of Victoria: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=7830&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Huntsmen of Western Australia:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=6827&subview=map&taxon_id=47867&view=species
Follow my Huntsman pages
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australian_huntsman_spiders/
