Common Garbage-Line Web Spider

Females of C. insulana can be distinguished by having a broad scapus (the basal part of the spinneret) in the anterior region. Males are identified by the distinctive shape of their pedipalps.

C. insulana is widely distributed across the warm and tropical regions of the Old World, with records spanning from the Mediterranean to the Philippines and Australia. In the Seychelles, it has been recorded from Mahé and Silhouette Island, though some specimens from this region may represent other closely related species.

The species inhabits multiple biomes at altitudes ranging from 4 to 1593 m above sea level. They make a complete vertical, closely woven orb web in vegetation, about one metre above the ground. The distinguishing character of the web is the vertical stabilimentum in line with the hub. The spider strings together dead bodies of prey and other debris on this stabilimentum. The spider hides in this debris as a defence against predators. This common species is frequently found in sweep net and beating samples, and has been sampled from all the floral biomes. The species has been recorded from crops such as avocado, citrus orchards and tomato fields.

The specific epithet "insulana" is derived from the Latin "insula" meaning "island," referring to the insular habitat where the species was first discovered on the Italian islands of Ischia and Procida.