A Spider Web Is Made of Lightweight Silk Stronger Than Steel

Spider webs are as diverse as the spiders that make them.

The orb web, made famous by orb weaver spiders, is a classic circular design with radiating spokes connected by spirals of silk. This type of web is perfect for catching flying insects, as its structure ensures that prey gets stuck no matter where it lands, like a silk net.

Other types of spider webs include funnel webs, which create a tunnel-like structure that leads to the spider's hiding spot (commonly found under rocks and leaves) and sheet webs, which are flat and layered with sticky threads to trap crawling insects.

Some spiders even build spin webs that are messy, irregular structures designed for opportunistic hunting (these are called cobwebs or tangle webs). Each web serves a specific purpose, tailored to the spider's environment and prey.

Spider webs are made from silk, a protein-based material. Spiders produce silk with specialized glands located in their abdomen. The silk is extruded through tiny spigots on the spider's spinnerets, which are located at the rear of the spider’s body.

Spiders can produce different types of silk, each with unique properties. The silk used for the web's structure is strong and non-sticky, providing stability, while the silk used to catch prey is coated with sticky glue-like droplets to trap insects.

Spider silk is incredibly lightweight, yet tougher than many synthetic materials, making it a marvel of natural engineering.

The process of creating a web is a delicate and methodical task. A spider begins by releasing a silk thread into the wind, allowing it to attach to a surface. This initial strand forms the foundation of the web. From the center, the spider spins radial lines, creating the "spokes" of the web.

Next, the spider adds concentric circles of sticky silk to catch their prey. The spider works carefully, using its legs to measure the spacing of each strand. The entire process can take anywhere from minutes to hours, depending on the complexity of the web and the spider’s species.

Some spiders will then consume all or part of their old webs, which helps them recycle the necessary amino acids used to build a new web [source: Discover Wildlife].

Spider webs are primarily used to catch prey, but they serve many other purposes as well. The sticky threads of the web trap insects, which the spider then wraps in silk and consumes at its leisure. Some webs are designed to attract prey, with silk that reflects UV light to mimic flowers or water droplets.

Beyond hunting, most spiders also use them safe place to rest or protect their eggs. Some spiders even use their webs as a communication tool, sending vibrations through the silk to signal mates or detect intruders. For spiders, the web is not just a tool; it's an all-in-one survival system.

Beyond their ability to help control pests, spiders and their webs are valuable to science. Researchers are studying the structure of spider silk to develop strong, lightweight and flexible materials. Engineers at Purdue University have looked into the structure of certain spider webs to gain clues for stronger and more resilient architectural designs.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.