Ceylon Bird-Dropping Spider (Phrynarachne ceylonica)
The spider reinforces the simulation of bird-droppings by drawing its legs close to the body and lying motionless on a leaf for long hours.
It sometimes sits on a small patch of white silk, which can be mistaken for the white stain caused by the bird-dung when it is splashed on the leaf. Some Phyrnarachne spiders emit a pronounced smell of faeces or urine. The sight and smell of bird-dropping may be a clever device to attract and ambush flies.
Crab spiders move sideways, like crabs.
Information from A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders” by Joseph K. H. Koh
Photos was taken at Rail Corridor, Singapore. December 2023
