Arthropods may be one of the planet's most historic and abundant life forms but it has taken popular culture to unearth their fascinating story-making potential.

Insects, for that is what we are talking about, have proved a huge box office hit after featuring in Antz and are certain to maintain their new-found profile with Disney's soon-to-be released Bug's Life.

Closer to home however, journalist Neil Behrmann, from Hampstead Garden Suburb, has contributed to the trend with his newly-published first novel, Butterfly Battle -- The Story of the Great Insect War.

Aimed at nine to 12-year-olds, the book tells the story of the Superwasps which invade Leponea, a peaceful butterfly paradise, and the heroes Robert and his sister Kim who enter the insect world to join in the fight for freedom.

"A few years ago when I began drafting Butterfly Battle, friends told me that I was crazy," said Mr Behrmann, "but the book was in me and I just had to do it."

The author's fascination with insects goes back to the Fifties when he lived near the mining town of Spring in South Africa. "In the veld nearby I used to play with children who were so poor that their toys were made from scrap wire. Their other 'toys' were Tok tok beetles, ants and grasshoppers."

In researching the book, Mr Behrmann used a variety of sources including a visit to the site of the Battle of Waterloo.

The book is published by Readmore Books and is priced £3.99.

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