Despite all the dislike of mankind for spiders, as well as the abundance of prejudices and scary stories associated with them, the question of how a spider weaves a web appears in children almost at the same time with an interest in why the grass is green and the water is wet. The result of the work of these unattractive animals often often resembles elegant lace. And if the spiders themselves are unpleasant to look at, and many are even afraid of them, then the web created by them unwittingly attracts attention and causes sincere admiration.
Meanwhile, not everyone knows that such “curtains” are not woven by all representatives of the squad. Almost every species is able to create a thread for the warp, but only those hunting traps weave nets. They are called snares. They are even singled out as a separate superfamily of Araneoidea. And the names of spiders weaving hunting nets totals as many as 2308 points, among which there are poisonous ones - the same black widow and karakurt. Those who hunt, attacking from an ambush or hunting down prey, use the web exclusively for domestic purposes.
The unique qualities of spider "textiles"
Despite the small size of the creators, the features of the web cause some envy from the crown of nature - man. Some of its parameters are incredible even with the achievements of modern science.
- Strength. The web can break from its weight only if the spider weaves it 50 meters long.
- Exceptional subtlety. A separate cobweb is noticeable only when it falls into a ray of light.
- Elasticity and resilience. The thread is stretched without breaking 2-4 times, and without loss of strength.
And all these qualities are achieved without any technical equipment - the spider manages what its nature has provided.
Types of webs
It is interesting not only how the spider weaves a web, but also the fact that he manages to develop it of different "varieties". Roughly speaking, they can be divided into three types:
- Strong - they are made only by tenetniks and form the basis of hunting nets.
- Sticky. They are made of jumpers all in the same networks, and are glued at the slightest touch, and so that it is very difficult to remove them.
- Household. Of these, spiders make cocoons and “doors” for minks. Moreover, they are also of several types, since they are produced with varying degrees of softness and fluffiness.
Scientists also highlight another type of web, which mirrors ultraviolet light, luring butterflies. Many believe that the finished web necessarily has its own pattern. However, this is not so: the names of spiders capable of creative delights can be counted without much difficulty, and all such artists belong to the araneomorphic representatives of this arthropod order.
What is it for?
If you ask a person a question why a spider is a web, he will answer without any doubt: for hunting. But this does not exhaust its functions. Additionally, it is used in the following areas:
- for warming minks before wintering;
- to create cocoons in which offspring matures;
- to protect from rain - from it spiders make a kind of awnings that prevent water from entering the "house";
- for traveling. Some spiders move themselves and transport children from the bosom of the family on long cobwebs carried away by the wind.
Building Material Education
So, let’s figure it out how a spider weaves a web. On the abdomen of the “weaver” are six glands, which are considered transformed vestiges of the legs. A special secret is developed inside the body, which is usually called liquid silk. At the exit through the spinning tubes, it begins to solidify. One such thread is so thin that it is difficult to make out even under a microscope. With paws located closer to the glands that are currently “working”, the spider twists several threads into one spider line - approximately the same as women did in the old days when spinning from a tow. It is at that moment that the spider weaves a web, the main characteristic of the future web is laid - stickiness or increased strength. And what is the mechanism of choice, scientists have not yet figured out.
Stretch technology
For its effectiveness, a fishing net should be stretched between something - for example, between branches. When the first thread was created by its creator long enough, it stops spinning and spreads the spinning organs. So he catches the breeze. The slightest stirring of the wind (even from the heated earth) carries the cobweb to the neighboring "support", for which it clings. The spider moves along the “bridge” (most often sagging its back down) and starts weaving a new radial thread. Only when the base is fixed does it begin to move in a circle, weaving sticky transverse lines into it. I must say, spiders are very frugal creatures. It turns out to be unnecessary damaged or old cobwebs they eat, releasing "recyclable materials" in the second round of use. And it becomes old, according to the creator, rather quickly, since the spider often weaves a web every day (or night, if he is a twilight hunter).
What do spiders eat?
A fundamentally important question, since the spider weaves a web nevertheless primarily for the extraction of food. Note that all species of spiders without exception are predators. However, their diet is highly dependent on size, hunting methods and place of residence. All snare (weaving nets) spiders are insectivorous, and their diet is mainly based on flying forms. Although if a crawling character falls off a web from a tree, its owner will not disdain him. Those who live in minks and closer to the ground eat mostly orthoptera and beetles, although they can drag a small snail or worm into their shelter. Among the variety of what spiders eat, there are larger objects. For a water tribal representative named Argyroneta, crustaceans, aquatic insects and fish fry become victims. Exotic tarantula giants prey on frogs, birds, small lizards and mice, although most of their diets are all the same insects. But there are more finicky species. Members of the Mimetidae family hunt only spiders that do not belong to their species. The huge tarantula Grammostola eats young snakes - and destroys them in amazing quantities. Five families of spiders (in particular, Ancylometes) catch fish, and are capable of diving, swimming, tracking prey and even pulling it to land.