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A classic circular form spider's web Infographic illustrating the process of constructing an orb web. A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web, or cobweb (from the archaic word coppe, meaning 'spider') [1] is a structure created by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets, generally meant to catch its prey.
The average toughness of the fibres is 350 MJ/m 3, and some are up to 520 MJ/m 3, making the silk twice as tough as any other spider silk known. [8] The web of Darwin's bark spider is remarkable in that it is not only the longest spanning web ever observed, but is the largest orb web ever seen, at an area of up to 2.8 square metres (30 sq ft). [2]
Schematic of the spider's orb web, structural modules, and spider silk structure. [15] On the left is shown a schematic drawing of an orb web. The red lines represent the dragline, radial line, and frame lines. The blue lines represent the spiral line, and the centre of the orb web is called the "hub".
Generally, towards evening, the spider consumes the old web, rests for about an hour, then spins a new web in the same general location. Thus, the webs of orb-weavers are generally free of the accumulation of detritus common to other species, such as black widow spiders. Some orb-weavers do not build webs at all.
Hyptiotes cavatus, the triangle weaver, is a species of cribellate orb weaver in the family of spiders known as Uloboridae. [1] [2] [3] It is found in the eastern United States and Canada. [1] [2] This spider makes use of its triangle-shaped web in a unique fashion compared to most orb-weaving spiders. [4]
The spider web of T. versicolor, like any other orb weaver spider, is used to catch prey. It can be seen as an extension of the spider's senses. The orb web is efficiently made with a minimum amount of silk (0.1–0.5 mg of silk) in a short amount of time (30–60 minutes).
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Spiders also have several adaptations that distinguish them from other arachnids. All spiders are capable of producing silk of various types, which many species use to build webs to ensnare prey. Most spiders possess venom, which is injected into prey (or defensively, when the spider feels threatened) through the fangs of the chelicerae. Male ...