11005-16315 Blackheaded jumping spider (Trite planiceps) common in North Island and parts of South Island. Often coming inside in summer, but more typically encountered outside, in cabbage trees or flax. This is our largest native jumping spider. Dunedin *
DSC_6101 Bird-dropping spider (Calaenia olivacea) derives its name from mimicking a bird dropping to avoid predators - mainly birds. It stays motionless on its web on a leaf during the day, and hunts at night, when it hangs from a single silk thread and releases a pheromone similar to that released by female moths. When a male moth comes near to investigate the smell, the spider captures it with its powerful front legs. Peel Forest *
11005-16219 Green crab spider (Diaea ambara) an ambush predator that doesn't build a web, but sits and waits to ambush its prey. Most are cryptically coloured to merge with leaves and flowers. They hide in flowers to catch pollinating insects, and are common in New Zealand gardens. Otago Peninsula *
