While this Apex blogger is certainly not a fan of spiders, we have to agree that they are fascinating creatures. The eight-legged arthropods spin their silk webs and perch, waiting for their prey to fall at their doorstep. You probably assume that a spider’s prey lands in a web by happenstance, but it has been recently discovered that spiders have a few hidden electromagnetic tricks for trapping their prey. From its spinneret glands, the spider can produce silks that serve multiple purposes. Some spiders can produce up to 8 different types of silks from their different spinneret glands. From sticky silk for trapping prey to fine silks for wrapping it, a spider comes fully equipped with everything they need to survive.

A New and Attractive Discovery

Recently published in Naturwissenschaften, scientists have found a coating of glue that covers a spider web. The electrostatic properties of the glue hold the key to a spider’s success in catching prey. Regardless of whether the objects flying toward the web are positively or negatively charged, the web subtly reaches out to grab the airborne particles, bugs, or other debris like a (you guessed it!) magnet.

Electromagnetic Spidey Senses Are Tingling

All flying insects have sensors in their antennae that allow them to detect electrical disturbances like those caused by a spider’s web. However, it is believed that the disturbance caused by the web is short-ranged enough that by the time the insects can detect it, it will be too late to escape.

Filtering Pollution

According to Oxford University zoology professor Fritz Vollrath, the leader of the study,the physical properties of these webs could help filter airborne pollution such as aerosols and pesticides. Vollrath recommends spider webs be harvested and used to monitor pollution in different areas. This would be helpful in looking for things like pesticides harmful to bee populations. The webs wouldn’t even necessarily need to be harvested, merely observed. Since we already know that spiders spin their webs erratically when under the influence of certain drugs, it’s possible that certain pollutants in the air will also cause the spiders to craft their webs differently than they would normally. Those eight-legged arachnids you find hiding in corners might seem primitive, but their electromagnetic webs are more technologically advanced than you’d think! They might even be changing the world with their pollution trapping webs. Interested in learning more about magnet-related discoveries and news? Follow along on our blog and check our catalog for the newest and coolest magnets.