Spider named after singer Young

Neil Young recently played a number of UK concerts

Iconic singer-songwriter Neil Young has had a creepy honour bestowed upon him - his very own spider.

US university biologist Jason Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider and decided to name it after his favourite musician.

Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi was found in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2007.

Veteran rock musician Young, 62, was born in Canada and rose to worldwide fame in the 1960s. His hits include Heart of Gold and Old Man.

He is also an outspoken activist for social, environmental and anti-war causes.

'Great appreciation'

Mr Bond, a biologist at East Carolina University, said: "There are rather strict rules about how you name new species.

"As long as these rules are followed you can give a new species just about any name you please.

"With regards to Neil Young, I really enjoy his music and have had a great appreciation of him as an activist for peace and justice."

Young is not the first musician to have a creature named after him.

A species of beetle that looks as if it is wearing a tuxedo was named Orectochilus orbisonorum earlier this year after the late musician Roy Orbison.