Bird Dropping Spiders
Scientific Name: Celaenia excavata
Order & Family: Araneae, Araneidae
Size: Females average 12mm in length; males are much smaller at about 2.5mm.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in gardens, orchards, and urban areas resting on the upper surfaces of leaves.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly nocturnal predators that specialize in catching male moths by mimicking female moth pheromones.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal camouflage experts that resemble bird droppings to avoid predators during the day. They remain motionless until night when they hunt.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; beneficial to the ecosystem as they help control moth populations in gardens.
Identified on: 7/1/2026