Do Spiders Break Down Their Own Webs?
WouterThere are plenty of people who have a good question about spiders and their webs. The most common question is “Do spiders break down their own webs?”
The answer to this question is no. Instead, spiders recycle their silk for new webs. This is a strategy to maximize the chance of catching prey. However, not all species do this.
When a spider builds a web, they use the vibration of the web strands to locate and select prey. Once they have located their target, they wrap it in sticky silk. The sticky coating helps immobilize the prey. Once the prey is caught, the spider can kill it. Its fangs also help in the killing process.
Orb webs are classic wheel shaped webs. These webs have been around for over 100 million years. These webs were probably adapted from flying insects during the early Cretaceous.
Orb weavers are not dangerous to humans, but they are highly beneficial. These spiders eat pest insects. They also remove non-edible objects from their web. As a result, orb weavers can easily catch up to 250 insects in a single day.
Some orb weavers are also noted for their docile nature. They are most likely to be noticed by homeowners in the late summer. This is because orb weavers have poor eyesight.
These spiders are most active at night. Some species will also break down their webs at night. When this happens, the spider will usually drop off the web.
