Celaenia excavata (Bird-dropping spider)
Although classified in the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae, this spider does not make an orb web. Instead it simply hangs by a short thread of silk from a leaf at night, with its legs outstretched, waiting for prey. This would not be a productive feeding strategy, except that the spider emits a chemical that mimics the pheromone of certain female moths; the male moths are fooled and, following the scent trail, are seized by the spider. During the day it sits exposed on a leaf surface, motionless and with legs tightly drawn against its body. With its mottled brown and white colour pattern it looks like a bird dropping and is ignored by predators such as birds.
Celaenia excavata is listed in the following regions:
Species information
- Celaenia excavata Scientific name
- Bird-dropping spider Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-Invasive
- Up to 702m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
- External link More information
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SubscribeLocation information
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Maps
ANBG Aranda Bushland Black Mountain Gungahlin Pond Lions Youth Haven - Westwood Farm Mount Painter National Arboretum Forests Percival Hill QPRC LGA Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Tuggeranong Hill Wandiyali-Environa Conservation Area -
Survey points
Point 4150 -
Places
Acton, ACT Aranda, ACT Cook, ACT Hackett, ACT Higgins, ACT Holt, ACT Jerrabomberra, NSW Kambah, ACT Melba, ACT Molonglo Valley, ACT Monash, ACT Murrumbateman, NSW Narrabundah, ACT Nicholls, ACT Paddys River, ACT Russell, ACT Theodore, ACT Wanniassa, ACT
