Silk tricks insects: spiders

1 of 1 Dew on a spider's web in the morning / Luc Viatour / License

The webs of some spiders trick and catch prey via UV-colored silk.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Pest attractant.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"But while UV vision helps many species of insect, it can also be used to trick them. Several species of spider, for example, include UV-colored sheets of silk in their webs, which insects mistake for nectar guides or for escape routes from dense vegetation, only to be lethally snared by the web's sticky coating." (Shuker 2001:21)

About the inspiring organism

Araneae
Araneae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Pest attractant.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Agriculture

References

Shuker, KPN. 2001. The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature. London: Marshall Editions Ltd. 240 p.