Bug Identifier
Bird Dropping Spiders
Community identification

Bird Dropping Spiders

Celaenia excavata

Order & Family
Araneae, Araneidae
Size
Females average 12mm in length; males are much smaller at about 2.5mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.