Bird Dropping Spider (Mimic)

Scientific Name: Celaenia excavata

Order & Family: Araneae, Araneidae

Size: Females reach 12-15 mm; males are much smaller at approximately 2-3 mm.

Bird Dropping Spider (Mimic)

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, orchards, and urban areas, often resting on the upper surfaces of leaves.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they primarily prey on male moths which they lure by mimicking the scent of female moth pheromones.

Behavior Patterns

This spider uses aggressive mimicry for defense (resembling bird feces to avoid birds) and for hunting. They are nocturnal hunters that do not spin a traditional web.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; their bite may cause mild local swelling but is not considered medically significant. They benefit the ecosystem by controlling moth populations.

Identified on: 3/24/2026