Made from a silk that’s distinct from the ordinary web scaffolding surrounding them, stabilimenta reflect ultraviolet light, leading some scientists to suggest their function is primarily ...

Spiders are famous aesthetes. Many craft radially symmetric webs, first extruding long silken spokes and then spinning ...

A study shows that spider web decorations help spiders locate prey by spreading vibrations across more silk threads.

Embellishments called stabilimenta helped propagate waves along simulated spider webs when prey landed on them, shedding new ...

The long-standing mystery around why spider webs sometimes feature "extra touches" known as stabilimenta has been revisited ...

Researchers simulated the effects that different web decorations had on vibrations, adding fresh insight to a decades-old ...

Spider webs are made from a protein fiber which we call silk. It is both strong and stretchy but not all spider silk is the same, there are several different types. Spiders produce silk using special ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Slingshot spiders (Theridiosoma gemmosum) don’t just passively ...