Celaenia calotoides

Bird-dropping spider at Cook, ACT

Celaenia calotoides at Cook, ACT - 17 Dec 2021
Celaenia calotoides at Cook, ACT - 17 Dec 2021
Celaenia calotoides at Cook, ACT - 17 Dec 2021
Celaenia calotoides at Cook, ACT - 17 Dec 2021
Celaenia calotoides at Cook, ACT - 17 Dec 2021
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Identification history

Celaenia calotoides 27 Dec 2021 MichaelMulvaney
Celaenia calotoides 20 Dec 2021 CathB

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User's notes

Since it was first noticed in mid-November, this spider has caught at least 18 moths and produced two new spiky egg sacs. Fourteen moths have been examined by Glenn Cocking and identified as male Philobota productella. The last picture shows 3 of these, still wrapped in web, after the spider had finished with them. Another 4 collected since appear to be the same. These spiders are known to attract their prey by mimicking the pheromones produced by female moths to attract a mate.

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Nearby sightings

Page 2 of 3 - image sightings only

Lactuca serriola f. serriola (Prickly Lettuce) at Cook, ACT - 18 Jan 2021 by drakes
Ancita marginicollis (A longhorn beetle) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2021 by CathB
Cynosurus echinatus (Rough Dog's Tail Grass) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Dichelachne crinita (Long-hair Plume Grass) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Tetragnatha demissa (Tetragnatha demissa) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Lophyrotoma sp. (genus) (Sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Comptosia quadripennis (a bee fly) at Cook, ACT - 14 Dec 2020 by CathB
Convolvulus angustissimus subsp. angustissimus (Australian Bindweed) at Cook, ACT - 13 Dec 2020 by drakes
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Cook, ACT - 13 Dec 2020 by drakes
Hackelia suaveolens (Sweet Hounds Tongue) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Acaena echinata (Sheeps Burr) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Dissomorphia australiaria (Dissomorphia australiaria) at Cook, ACT - 27 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Dicranosterna immaculata (Acacia leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Leptotarsus (Macromastix) costalis (Common Brown Crane Fly) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Coccidae sp. (family) (Unidentified coccid scale insect) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Atrapsalta furcilla (Southern Mountain Squeaker) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Clania lewinii (Lewin's case moth) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Rosopaella cuprea (A leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Eurymeloides pulchra (Gumtree hopper) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Orobanche minor (Broomrape) at Cook, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 by drakes
Lysimachia arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel) at Cook, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 by drakes
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Cook, ACT - 14 Nov 2020 by drakes
Pergagrapta sp. (genus) (A sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 5 Nov 2020 by CathB
Petrorhagia sp. at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by drakes
Ceratopogonidae (family) (Biting Midge) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Inopus rubriceps (Sugarcane Soldier Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Capusa (genus) (Wedge moth) at Cook, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by CathB
Miridae (family) (Unidentified plant bug) at Cook, ACT - 11 Oct 2020 by CathB
Myosotis discolor (Forget-me-not) at Cook, ACT - 8 Oct 2020 by CathB
Stackhousia monogyna (Creamy Candles) at Cook, ACT - 5 Oct 2020 by JasonC
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Carex inversa (Knob Sedge) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Eurhopalus froggatti (Dermestid beetle, Skin beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Leucopogon fletcheri subsp. brevisepalus (Twin Flower Beard-Heath) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Carex breviculmis (Short-Stem Sedge) at Cook, ACT - 16 Sep 2020 by CathB
Stackhousia monogyna (Creamy Candles) at Cook, ACT - 16 Sep 2020 by CathB
Plantago gaudichaudii (Narrow Plantain) at Cook, ACT - 15 Sep 2020 by CathB
Mycetophilidae (family) (A fungus gnat) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2020 by CathB
Pleuridium sp. at Cook, ACT - 21 Jul 2020 by CathB
Fissidens sp. at Cook, ACT - 18 Jul 2020 by CathB
Pottiaceae (family) (A moss) at Cook, ACT - 18 Jul 2020 by CathB
Coracina novaehollandiae (Black-faced Cuckooshrike) at Cook, ACT - 15 Jul 2020 by Tammy
Lentinus arcularius (Fringed Polypore) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jul 2020 by drakes
Clitocybe s. l. at Cook, ACT - 5 Jul 2020 by drakes
Pottiaceae (family) (A moss) at Cook, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by CathB
Entosthodon sp. at Cook, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by CathB
Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jun 2020 by drakes
Fissidens sp. at Cook, ACT - 10 Jun 2020 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 31 May 2020 by CathB
Panicum capillare/hillmanii (Exotic/Invasive Panic Grass) at Cook, ACT - 26 May 2020 by CathB
Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot) at Cook, ACT - 26 May 2020 by CathB
Limacella pitereka at Cook, ACT - 25 May 2020 by drakes
Plantago varia (Native Plaintain) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Acaena sp. (A Sheep's Burr) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Plantago gaudichaudii (Narrow Plantain) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 6 May 2020 by CathB
Dolomedes sp. (genus) (Fishing spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Dytiscidae (family) (Unidentified diving beetle) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2020 by CathB
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2020 by CathB
Geometridae (family) IMMATURE (Unidentified IMMATURE Geometer moths) at Cook, ACT - 13 Apr 2020 by CathB
Phryganeutis cinerea (Chezala Group moth) at Cook, ACT - 12 Apr 2020 by CathB
Dytiscidae (family) (Unidentified diving beetle) at Cook, ACT - 12 Apr 2020 by CathB
Morbora sp. (genus) (Unidentified Morbora shield bug) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard Grass) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ephydridae sp. (family) (Shore Flies) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Sapromyza sp. (genus) (A lauxaniid fly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Corixidae (family) (Water Boatman) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Latridiidae sp. (family) (Minute brown scavenger beetle) at Cook, ACT - 7 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 7 Apr 2020 by CathB
Austrolestes leda (Wandering Ringtail) at Cook, ACT - 3 Apr 2020 by CathB
Zygoptera (suborder) (Damselfly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Apr 2020 by CathB
Bermius brachycerus (A grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 2 Apr 2020 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 16 Mar 2020 by CathB
Eucharitidae (family) (Unidentified ant-parasite wasp) at Cook, ACT - 1 Mar 2020 by CathB
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Cook, ACT - 25 Feb 2020 by CathB
Isomoralla eriscota (A concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 17 Feb 2020 by CathB
Meranoplus sp. (genus) (Shield Ant) at Cook, ACT - 17 Feb 2020 by CathB
Mythimna (Pseudaletia) convecta (Common Armyworm) at Dunlop, ACT - 17 Feb 2020 by CathB
Pheidole sp. (genus) (Seed-harvesting ant) at Cook, ACT - 16 Feb 2020 by CathB
Rhytidoponera sp. (genus) (Rhytidoponera ant) at Cook, ACT - 16 Feb 2020 by CathB
Chlorocoma dichloraria (Guenee's or Double-fringed Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 13 Feb 2020 by CathB
Iridomyrmex sp. (genus) (Ant) at Cook, ACT - 10 Feb 2020 by CathB
Meranoplus sp. (genus) (Shield Ant) at Cook, ACT - 10 Feb 2020 by CathB
Rhytidoponera aspera (Greenhead ant) at Cook, ACT - 10 Feb 2020 by CathB
Rutilia (Donovanius) sp. (genus & subgenus) (A Bristle Fly) at Cook, ACT - 10 Feb 2020 by CathB
Pheidole sp. (genus) (Seed-harvesting ant) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jan 2020 by CathB
Macrobathra chrysotoxa (A cosmet moth) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jan 2020 by CathB
Servaea sp. (genus) (Unidentified Servaea jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 17 Jan 2020 by CathB
Aglaotilla sp. (genus) (Australian Velvet Ant) at Cook, ACT - 15 Jan 2020 by CathB
Ancita australis (Longicorn or longhorn beetle) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jan 2020 by CathB
Acizzia acaciaedecurrentis (Early Green Wattle Psyllid) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jan 2020 by CathB
Pheidole sp. (genus) (Seed-harvesting ant) at Cook, ACT - 8 Dec 2019 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB
Ecnolagria grandis (Honeybrown beetle) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB
Backobourkia sp. (genus) (An orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB
Camponotus nigriceps (Black-headed sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 17 Dec 2021 06:08 AM Recorded on
  • CathB Recorded by

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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