This fly’s day is about to get a lot worse.
It failed to spot this sticky trap.
And within no time, it’s been wrapped in silk and dragged away for dinner.
But here’s a curious question:
How do spiders build webs?
How do spiders build webs?
spinnerets
Spiders make webs from silk, which is produced by organs called spinnerets.
Spider silk may look delicate, but it’s actually super strong, making it an ideal building material.
Getting that first thread in place can be tricky.
The spider releases a length of silk into the air; with any luck, the other end will catch onto something.
The spider releases another, looser thread as it walks across the newly built bridge.
Once the ends are secured, it pulls the middle downwards, forming a "Y" shape.
More scaffolding threads are added, and the basic frame is complete!
Next, the spider adds more lines to the middle – like spokes on a bike wheel – and finally, it starts on the spiral.
At first, the spider uses nonsticky silk for this bit, so it can walk around without getting its feet stuck.
It then switches to sticky silk – and the trap is set!
This type of circular web is called an orb web, and some spiders build a brand new one every day!
Time for lunch – yummy!
So, spiders make silk using spinnerets.
Orb webs start with a silk bridge between two points.
And when the frame’s complete, the spider spins a sticky spiral in the center for catching prey.
Got it? Great – another curious question answered!