Researchers observed two Cyclosa orb-weaving spiders in Peru and the Philippines crafting lifelike decoys from silk, debris and prey remains, as reported in Ecology and Evolution (2025). The Philippine species was seen sheltering inside its replica, while the Peruvian spider perched above its decoy, possibly to distract predators and escape. Authors suggest the structures may both mimic larger spiders and resemble bird droppings, indicating a multifaceted defensive strategy.
Spiders Spin Lifelike Decoys to Fool Predators
Researchers observed two Cyclosa orb-weaving spiders in Peru and the Philippines crafting lifelike decoys from silk, debris and prey remains, as reported in Ecology and Evolution (2025). The Philippine species was seen sheltering inside its replica, while the Peruvian spider perched above its decoy, possibly to distract predators and escape. Authors suggest the structures may both mimic larger spiders and resemble bird droppings, indicating a multifaceted defensive strategy.
08:39 AM, 11/11/2025Science
Small Orb-Weaving Spiders Build Convincing Doppelgängers
Researchers report that tiny orb-weaving spiders in Peru and the Philippines construct strikingly realistic decoys from silk, debris and the remains of prey. Described in a 2025 paper in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the structures resemble larger spiders and may trick predators such as lizards and birds.
Two Cyclosa species were observed making these elaborate replicas. One is a Cyclosa from the Philippines, newly described by the authors but not yet given a formal scientific name; the other is a Peruvian Cyclosa. Cyclosa are orb-weavers, the most common group of spiders worldwide, known for their roughly circular aerial webs.
Many diurnal orb weavers build silken retreats to hide from predators, and some also add web decorations called stabilimenta. According to the authors, it is uncommon for a single species to use both a retreat and a stabilimentum, and most Cyclosa stabilimenta previously reported are simple, linear shapes rather than the complex, spider-like replicas documented here.
Earlier reports from Brazil described Cyclosa creating decoy-like structures too, but those were more rudimentary — blobs with leg-like extensions. In contrast, the decoys in the new study were notably lifelike. The researchers also recorded different behaviors associated with the decoys: the Philippine spider was observed sheltering inside its replica, while the Peruvian spider perched above its decoy, possibly to draw attention away and slip away if threatened.
“This suggests the decoy’s function may be multifaceted, serving as a deterrent through both mimicry of a larger spider and an undesirable object,” the authors write, noting that the structures might additionally resemble bird droppings.
The findings expand known anti-predator strategies among orb weavers and underscore previously overlooked complexity in web decorations, suggesting that some spiders use crafted visual tricks to reduce predation risk.
Image credit: Olah, G., et al., Ecology & Evolution (2025).
Originally featured on Nautilus.