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Bird Dropping Spider - Celaenia excavata The spider has evolved an effective strategy against being eaten by day-active predators such as birds and wasps. Its body mimics unappetising bird droppings. They are dirty white, grey and black in colour, with very large abdomen. Bird-dropping Spiders are sometimes called Bird Dung Spiders.  They are also known as Orchard Spiders because they are so commonly seen in citrus and other orchards.<br />
<a href="https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_orbweavers/BirdDroppingSpider.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_orbweavers/BirdDroppingSpider.htm</a> Australia,Celaenia excavata,Geotagged,Summer Click/tap to enlarge

Bird Dropping Spider - Celaenia excavata

The spider has evolved an effective strategy against being eaten by day-active predators such as birds and wasps. Its body mimics unappetising bird droppings. They are dirty white, grey and black in colour, with very large abdomen. Bird-dropping Spiders are sometimes called Bird Dung Spiders. They are also known as Orchard Spiders because they are so commonly seen in citrus and other orchards.
https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_orbweavers/BirdDroppingSpider.htm

    comments (4)

  1. Great find! Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
    1. Thanks Ruth Posted 4 years ago
  2. Very cool! Posted 4 years ago
    1. Thank You Ferdy Posted 4 years ago

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The bird dropping spider 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".

Similar species: Spiders
Species identified by Calbost Niel
View Calbost Niel's profile

By Calbost Niel

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jan 23, 2021. Captured Jan 20, 2021 11:58 in 58-82 Terrace Falls Rd, Hazelbrook NSW 2779, Australia.
  • NIKON D7100
  • f/9.0
  • 1/100s
  • ISO160
  • 105mm