
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
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.