Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Celaenia excavata

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Kingdom  Animalia
Suborder  Araneomorphae
Genus  Celaenia
Phylum  Arthropoda
Order  Spider
Class  Arachnida
Family  Araneidae
Scientific name  Celaenia excavata
Rank  Species
Celaenia excavata wwwarachneorgaudbaseuplIMG4678katjpg

Similar  Celaenia, Austracantha, Arkys, Phrynarachne, Arachnura higginsi

Bird dropping spider celaenia excavata


The bird dropping spider (Celaenia excavata) derives its name from mimicking bird droppings to avoid predators, mainly birds. However, there are other species of spider that resemble bird droppings, for example species of Mastophora (a bolas spider).

Contents

Celaenia excavata Celaenia excavataFriends of Queens Park Bushland Friends of Queens

Habitat and appearance

Celaenia excavata Celaenia excavata female Western Australia Birddropping Spider

The males are much smaller than the females, about 2.5 mm as opposed to 12 mm. The females have up to 13 egg sacs, with about 200 eggs each, strung together with strong threads. Their toxicity is unknown, but may be able to cause mild illness in humans.

Hunting

Celaenia excavata Celaenia excavataFriends of Queens Park Bushland Friends of Queens

The bird dropping spider stays motionless on its web during the day, only hunting for prey at night. It hangs down from a single silk thread and releases a pheromone which mimics the sex smells released by female moths. When a moth comes near, the spider will capture it with its powerful front legs. They can be found in Australia, mainly along the eastern and southern coasts.

Celaenia excavata The Findaspider Guide birddropping spider

References

Celaenia excavata Wikipedia