Bug Identifier
Bird Dropping Spider
Community identification

Bird Dropping Spider

Celaenia excavata

Order & Family
Araneae, Araneidae
Size
Females up to 12 mm, males much smaller at approx. 2.5 mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens and bushland, typically found resting on the upper surface of leaves

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; it specifically lures and eats male moths by mimicking female moth pheromones

Behavior Patterns

Master of mimicry; it stays motionless during the day to resemble a bird dropping to avoid predators. It is nocturnal, hunting at night.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; beneficial to the ecosystem by controlling moth populations in gardens.