Celaenia

Celaenia spiders are amazing orb-weaver spiders that come from Australia. Guess what? There are about 11 different kinds of them! Each one has its own special color, pattern, and way of being. These spiders add so much to Australia’s variety of creatures.

Scientific Classification

Celaenia

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • Celaenia atkinsoni  
  • Celaenia calotoides  
  • Celaenia distincta  
  • Celaenia dubia  
  • Bird-dropping Spider (Celaenia excavate)  
  • Celaenia hectori
  • Celaenia olivacea
  • Celaenia penna
  • Celaenia tuberosa
  • Celaenia tumidosa
  • Celaenia voraginosa

Celaenia Excavata

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The females of this genus have a size of about 0.47 to 0.51 inches (12 to 13 mm) and are bigger than the males, which have an approximate body length of 0.07 to 0.11 inches (2 to 3 mm).
  • Color: The color varies from one species to the other. The bird-dropping spider, the most well-known species of this genus, has a white, black, and gray body, similar to a bird’s dropping.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The spiders of this genus are likely to have a triangular-shaped abdomen and long forelegs.

Eggs

The egg sacs are brown and marble-shaped with a single sac containing about 200 eggs.

Spiderlings

Initially sporting a pale hue, these spiderlings darken as they age.

The Web

Not much information is available about their web. However, in the bird-dropping spiders, only the young ones build circular webs.

Are Celaenia Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Celaenia Spiders have venom. They mostly use it to catch the bugs they like to eat. People usually don’t need to worry about it.

Can Celaenia Spiders Bite?

Celaenia Spiders can bite, but they’re pretty peaceful. They prefer to stay out of the way and will only bite if they’re super scared.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Celaenia

Orb-weaver spiders like Celaenia help keep nature balanced by eating insects, especially moths. This helps control pests and is part of the food chain, passing energy and nutrients through ecosystems.

Natural Predator: Birds often eat Celaenia spiders because they make their webs in bird-heavy areas like forests and wetlands.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Celaenia spiders eat moths and other insects, helping control these populations. In turn, birds eat the spiders, creating a balanced ecosystem where each species helps another survive.

Relationship with Humans: Celaenia spiders are mostly harmless to humans. Their venom might cause some redness and pain but isn’t very dangerous. They’re good to have around in forests and woodlands because they help control harmful insects.

Celaenia Image

Quick Facts

DistributionParts of Australia and New Zealand
HabitatThese spiders prefer the environs of forests, woodlands, and wetlands
PredatorsMostly birds
DietInsects particularly moth
LifespanThey have an average life span of about a year

Did You Know

  • The Celaenia genus owes its discovery to Swedish arachnologist Tamerlan Thorell, who first described it in 1868. Since then, these spiders have been intriguing researchers and enthusiasts alike with their unique characteristics and vital role in the ecosystem.

In summary, Celaenia spiders serve as a testament to the intricate web of life, showcasing the interdependency of species and emphasizing the importance of every organism in an ecosystem.

Celaenia spiders are amazing orb-weaver spiders that come from Australia. Guess what? There are about 11 different kinds of them! Each one has its own special color, pattern, and way of being. These spiders add so much to Australia’s variety of creatures.

Celaenia

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • Celaenia atkinsoni  
  • Celaenia calotoides  
  • Celaenia distincta  
  • Celaenia dubia  
  • Bird-dropping Spider (Celaenia excavate)  
  • Celaenia hectori
  • Celaenia olivacea
  • Celaenia penna
  • Celaenia tuberosa
  • Celaenia tumidosa
  • Celaenia voraginosa

Celaenia Excavata

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The females of this genus have a size of about 0.47 to 0.51 inches (12 to 13 mm) and are bigger than the males, which have an approximate body length of 0.07 to 0.11 inches (2 to 3 mm).
  • Color: The color varies from one species to the other. The bird-dropping spider, the most well-known species of this genus, has a white, black, and gray body, similar to a bird’s dropping.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The spiders of this genus are likely to have a triangular-shaped abdomen and long forelegs.

Eggs

The egg sacs are brown and marble-shaped with a single sac containing about 200 eggs.

Spiderlings

Initially sporting a pale hue, these spiderlings darken as they age.

The Web

Not much information is available about their web. However, in the bird-dropping spiders, only the young ones build circular webs.

Are Celaenia Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Celaenia Spiders have venom. They mostly use it to catch the bugs they like to eat. People usually don’t need to worry about it.

Can Celaenia Spiders Bite?

Celaenia Spiders can bite, but they’re pretty peaceful. They prefer to stay out of the way and will only bite if they’re super scared.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Celaenia

Orb-weaver spiders like Celaenia help keep nature balanced by eating insects, especially moths. This helps control pests and is part of the food chain, passing energy and nutrients through ecosystems.

Natural Predator: Birds often eat Celaenia spiders because they make their webs in bird-heavy areas like forests and wetlands.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Celaenia spiders eat moths and other insects, helping control these populations. In turn, birds eat the spiders, creating a balanced ecosystem where each species helps another survive.

Relationship with Humans: Celaenia spiders are mostly harmless to humans. Their venom might cause some redness and pain but isn’t very dangerous. They’re good to have around in forests and woodlands because they help control harmful insects.

Celaenia Image

Quick Facts

DistributionParts of Australia and New Zealand
HabitatThese spiders prefer the environs of forests, woodlands, and wetlands
PredatorsMostly birds
DietInsects particularly moth
LifespanThey have an average life span of about a year

Did You Know

  • The Celaenia genus owes its discovery to Swedish arachnologist Tamerlan Thorell, who first described it in 1868. Since then, these spiders have been intriguing researchers and enthusiasts alike with their unique characteristics and vital role in the ecosystem.

In summary, Celaenia spiders serve as a testament to the intricate web of life, showcasing the interdependency of species and emphasizing the importance of every organism in an ecosystem.