WITHSome species of spiders hide a secret at the center of their web—silk decorations called “stabilimenta” that can resemble anything from spiral doilies to zig-zag crosses, intricate platforms and more, depending on the species. (Remember the “SOME PIGS” ad in Charlotte's Web.) These mysterious structures have fascinated researchers for years, and while their underlying function remains a mystery, several have emerged.
Made from silk, which is different from the normal webbing that surrounds them, the stabilizers reflect ultraviolet light, leading some scientists to speculate that their function is primarily visual—to blind prey or scare off low-flying birds. New research suggests that the function of at least some stabilizers may be mechanical.
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A team of researchers investigated stabilimenta using a combination of field observations of yellow and black orb-weaving spiders (Argiope Bruennichi) and computer modeling. Having documented the structures of stabiliments in the wild, the team then modeled them to determine how the presence of stabiliments affects the transmission of vibrations from potential prey. Publishing V PLOS OneThe team said the stabilimenta could help transmit elastic vibrations from prey anywhere in the web—possibly helping the spiders find prey—but only when the prey moved parallel to the web's spiral frames.
This is another piece of the puzzle of why spiders create these distinctive decorations, but with such a varied presence across species, more research remains to be done before we untangle this tangled web.
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Main image: JohnRichfield/Wikimedia Commons
