Bird-dropping spider

By: RCM

Apr 27 2024

Tags: , ,

Category: Cairns, macro, Spiders

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Aperture:f/11
Focal Length:60mm
ISO:200
Shutter:1/0 sec
Camera:E-M1X

This is a fascinating spider, mimicking bird droppings to keep itself camouflaged. They almost exclusively eats male moths, which they attract by excreting a scent that mimics that of the pheromones that the female moths excrete to attract them. Bit of a nasty surprise I recon.

They are not aggressive to humans, but this one was not pleased with me moving the leaf around to get a better shot, so warned me with a drop of venom with which it likely planned to defend itself.

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