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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). 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. 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 their powerful front legs. They can be found in Australia, mainly along the eastern and southern coasts. |
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Reply: This is a
bird dropping spider - glen
11 March, 2012:
I found this spider on my daughter's play set. We live in south east Texas and I have never seen on of these before. Is there any way you could tell me what it is?
Thanks,
Lisa |
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Reply: These egg sacs belong to the
bird dropping spider - glen
2 January, 2011:
Hi, Can someone please identify the egg cases in
the attached photos. Sorry the close up is blurry, macro
wasn’t working. However, the ruler will give an idea of
scale. I encountered these on acacia brachybotrya.
Sticky web. If the cases had been white, I would have
said ‘red back’. I have googled heaps but got nowhere.
Many thanks, Ann. |
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Reply: Could be a bird dropping
spider. 12 December,
2005:
can u tell me what type of spider it is your site is awesome
john
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Reply: This is a bird dropping spider.
27 March,
2005:
To Whom It May Concern, I recently took some photos of a
spider, and I particularly want to indetify them because I
wish to upload them to the free enyclopedia, Wikipedia with a
correct identification. There are two spider photos sets attached
Thanks, and I think your website is brilliant. Sincerely,
Peter Firus (Click for larger views) |
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