How Do Spiders Fly Across Oceans?
WouterMany insects and plants can travel long distances, but there are still few species that have crossed oceans. Scientists believe spiders can cross oceans, but they’ve been unable to explain how these creatures do it.
Until recently, it was thought that spiders could only sail in water. But new findings show they can sail in the air, too. They’re able to take off on a silk balloon and travel long distances.
Researchers discovered that some species of spiders are able to sail across oceans and islands, even without food or water. These animals can use a combination of wind and electric fields to propel themselves in the air.
Electrostatic repulsion flight was first proposed by Charles Darwin in the early 1800s. He suggested that spiders could sail when they had an electric field at their feet. But, most scientists assumed that spiders would only sail if they had a strong breeze.
However, some species have been observed to travel as far as two and a half miles above the Earth’s surface. They can also travel as much as a thousand miles in the ocean.
The most common types of ballooning spiders are the trashline orbweaver and the money spider. These spiders shoot a silk line as an anchor, catching air like a parachute. In addition, they use their legs as a rudder. They also use a good following wind.
They can also use their silk to snag prey. They’re known to fly across oceans in the autumn.
