Can Spiders Have Wings?
WouterMany people think spiders can’t fly. However, there are species of spiders that glide in the air, much like praying mantises. Scientists believe that gliding is just a natural ability of spiders.
To glide, spiders extrude silk, which is very strong and light. As the silk strands become charged in the air, they gain an electric charge. This current can propel them up to two miles into the sky.
Some scientists are claiming that spiders can fly by using electricity. Electrostatic repulsion was first proposed in the 1800s, but it was not proven until 2013 when a scientist named Peter Gorham resurrected the theory.
Scientists have been researching flying spiders for years. They have found that these spiders are able to glide between points, a feat which has been dubbed the protandry.
Some scientists also believe that these spiders use an electrical field to help them navigate. Although humans can’t feel the electric fields, bumblebees are sensitive to them and can detect their presence.
Scientists have also discovered that many spiders can fly without using wind power. These creatures release silk threads into the air, which act as parachute sails. When the wind is too strong, these spiders will stay put. But if the wind isn’t that strong, they may take to the skies.
In the past, scientists believed that spiders were carried by wind. But now, scientists believe that spiders can glide, much like the grasshopper.
Some arachnids, such as the Selenops, can glide with remarkable accuracy. They can steer themselves midair by using their forelegs. Other spiders, such as crab spiders, wait for the right conditions to launch their flight.
