Why Do Spiders Destroy Their Webs?
WouterSpiders create webs for a number of purposes. Some weave them for trapping, catching and subduing insects and small animals, but others use them as shelters or as safety lines to escape predators.
Some spiders construct elaborate webs, while others are extremely tiny. Even if a web is damaged, the spider may still reuse the silk. The threads are so sticky that they can be used for many purposes. In addition to securing prey, the silk can also help disperse young.
While most spiders are nocturnal, some have evolved to be diurnal. Some species have been known to spin new webs during the day. The orb-weaver is a spider that produces large, radial webs. In these webs, a series of elastic catching threads spiral into the center and dragline threads radiate out from the center. The webs can be up to three feet in diameter.
These orb-weaver spiders begin spinning the webs in the summer. By the time autumn comes, the orb-weaver has produced enough silk to make a huge web. The webs will last for several weeks without rotting.
Some spiders use their silk to wrap and protect their eggs. Eventually, these eggs will hatch. These spiders usually spin a web in a corner of the house.
Other spiders may build webs that have no decorations at all. Some arachnologists think that this may serve as a disguise, and could discourage predators. However, there is no proof that arachnids have feelings. They do not feel pain, love, fear, anger, sadness, or hate.
