Leslie Massey
Spiders are an essential part of the ecosystem, but they are also prey to many other species. While some spiders are venomous, they are often at the receiving end of the food chain due to their small size. Spiders are eaten by a variety of animals, including birds, lizards, amphibians, insects, and other spiders. In Australia, the Huntsman spider is a common species that is known for its size, speed, and crab-like appearance. These spiders are often eaten by birds, geckos, and pygmy possums.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Birds | Wrens, Sparrows, Blackbirds, Crows, Bluebirds, Robins, Great-tits |
| Mammals | Bats, Shrews, Monkeys |
| Insects | Wasps, Flies, Tarantula hawks, Mud daubers, Spider wasps |
| Reptiles | Snakes, Lizards, Geckos, Chameleons, Anoles |
| Amphibians | Frogs, Toads |
| Arachnids | Scorpions, Daddy Long Legs |
| Fish | Trout, Mosquitofish, Archers |
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What You'll Learn
Birds, including sparrows, blackbirds, crows, bluebirds, and wrens
The house sparrow, an introduced species to Australia, is a large finch that feeds on a wide range of foodstuffs, including spiders. They are usually seen in small to medium-sized groups, but may occur in huge numbers. The male has a grey crown, a black face and throat, and dark black and brown upper parts. The female is slightly paler than the male and lacks the grey crown and black face, instead having a pale buff eye stripe. Young house sparrows are similar to the adult female, but are duller with some mottling on the crown, and have a darker bill.
Blackbirds are also known to eat spiders. They are part of the thrush family, which also includes song thrushes and mistle thrushes. Blackbirds are mainly insectivores, but they also eat a variety of other foods, including spiders. They are typically found in gardens and parks, as well as woodlands and hedgerows.
Crows are omnivorous opportunists and are known to eat almost anything edible, including spiders. They are highly intelligent and have impressive foraging skills, allowing them to capitalize on various feeding opportunities. Their diet varies by season and location, and they are known to eat both plant and animal matter.
Bluebirds are part of the thrush family and are known to eat a variety of insects, including spiders. They are typically found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, as well as woodland edges and gardens.
Wrens are small, brown birds that are known to eat a variety of insects, including spiders. They are typically found in gardens, hedges, and other areas with dense cover.
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Lizards, including geckos and chameleons
Geckos and chameleons are both very carnivorous and have a preference for spiders. They are also known to eat other insects and pests, such as flies, ants, termites, beetles, roaches, and more, making them excellent pest control animals. Their ability to camouflage and stalk prey further enhances their hunting prowess. Chameleons, in particular, use their long tongues to capture unsuspecting spiders.
The presence of these lizards can significantly reduce spider populations. A study by scientists from the University of California found that lizards introduced to several of the Bahama Islands to control orb spiders, an invasive species, successfully eradicated the spiders within five years. This demonstrates the potential for lizards to be a natural and effective method of spider control.
In Australia, geckos have been observed climbing walls and surfaces in homes infested with spiders, including funnel webs. Their ability to navigate these spaces makes them well-suited for reducing spider populations in built environments.
While lizards, geckos, and chameleons can be effective spider predators, it is important to note that some spider species may still be able to evade or outcompete them. For example, one individual observed that their free-ranging chameleon and group of geckos were unable to control a spider infestation, as the spiders quickly multiplied and occupied every corner and hide space.
Therefore, while lizards, geckos, and chameleons are known to eat spiders and can be beneficial in managing spider populations, they may not always be a guaranteed solution for spider control, especially in cases of severe infestations.
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Fish, including archers, trout, and mosquitofish
Trout are known to eat spiders in Australia. The behaviour of trout can vary, and they may be voracious or picky, depending on their mood. In fly fishing, having spiders in your selection of flies to offer trout may create taut lines and big smiles. The "spider" fly is a type of fly that goes back centuries, to the days of Dame Juliana Berners, the author of "A Treatise on Fishing With an Angle", written in 1496. Scots and Yorkshiremen have been using them for centuries.
Mosquitofish are another fish species in Australia that may eat spiders. Mosquitofish were introduced to Australia in 1925 to control mosquito populations. However, there is no evidence that they have been effective in controlling mosquito populations or mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitofish are considered a noxious pest, especially in New South Wales and Queensland. They are very aggressive and tend to attack other fish, including trout, and nip their fins, leading to infection or death. They have also negatively impacted various native species, including beetles, backswimmers, rotifers, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Archers, or archerfish, are another fish species found in Australia that may eat spiders. Archerfish are known for their unique ability to "shoot" down prey by spitting jets of water at insects above the water's surface. While there is limited information specifically about spiders being consumed by archerfish, it is reasonable to assume that they may take advantage of easy prey like spiders that wander too close to the water's edge.
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Amphibians, including frogs and toads
In Australia, the Bird Eating Spider, also known as the Australian Tarantula, Barking Spider, or Whistling Spider, occasionally preys on frogs. This spider is one of the largest in Australia, with a body length of up to 55mm in females and 40mm in males. It belongs to the Trapdoor family of spiders and is known to inject venom into its prey.
While the Bird Eating Spider may occasionally make a meal of frogs, it is not a significant threat to their population. Frogs are adaptable and can coexist with these spiders, as they primarily feed on insects, lizards, small birds, and other spiders of the Lycosa species.
Toads, on the other hand, are a different story. In Australia, the invasive cane toad has had devastating effects on native species, including goannas, blue-tongued skinks, and quolls. While some larger predators, like crocodiles and snakes, have fallen victim to the cane toad's deadly toxin, amphibians like frogs and toads may have a secret weapon.
Australian tarantulas, wolf spiders, and racing stripe spiders are known to eat cane toads, and their numbers may play a role in controlling this invasive species. It is believed that these spiders can neutralise the toad's venom by vomiting a proteolytic enzyme into the toad before consumption. This unique adaptation allows them to feast on toads without falling victim to their toxic defence mechanism.
The relationship between amphibians and spiders in Australia is complex. While frogs and toads may be prey for some spider species, they are also skilled predators that can control spider populations. The dynamic between these creatures is a fascinating aspect of Australia's diverse and dangerous wildlife.
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Insects, including wasps and centipedes
Insects are some of the most common predators of spiders. Wasps, in particular, are known to prey on spiders. Female spider wasps sting and paralyze spiders before feeding them to their young. Some carry the spider, some drag it, some pull it across the water, and others fly with it.
Centipedes are another many-legged arthropod that preys on spiders. They are carnivorous and use their claws to paralyze spiders and other small creatures. They are not usually kept around for spider control as they can also bite humans.
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Frequently asked questions
Birds are top predators to almost all species of spiders. In Australia, birds such as sparrows, blackbirds, crows, bluebirds, and wrens eat spiders.
Geckos, chameleons, and lizards are common reptiles that eat spiders. In Australia, the gecko is known to eat the Huntsman spider.
Insects that eat spiders include wasps, scorpions, centipedes, and daddy long legs. In Australia, wasps and scorpions are known to eat the Huntsman spider.
Mammals that eat spiders include bats, shrews, and monkeys. In Australia, cats and hedgehogs can also help control the spider population.
