Radial Threads Spider Web

An orb-weaver begins its web with radial and framework threads using dragline silk, providing a foundation upon which to spiral the sticky catching threads. The spiders then create an auxiliary spiral to help the radial threads support the spider's weight as it builds. Next, the spider uses, and subsequently destroys, the auxiliary spiral as

The architectures of smaller webs enhance these two routes because smaller species of spiders, and even smaller individuals within a species, typically spin webs with larger numbers of radial threads and more rows of capture spiral 20,31. This may allow radial threads to distribute energy more effectively to numerous rows of capture spirals.

Thus, the webs must have an intrinsic energy dissipation mechanism. The major components of the webs are spiral silk threads, radial silk threads and the junction between different individual threads in a web Qin and Buehler, 2013. The spider webs possesses these remarkable physical properties due to its silk, despite being so light and delicate.

Model of orb web of spider consisting of 10 radial threads and 4 spiral threads N 10, M 4, which are labeled as above. See the details in the text. The numbers of radial and spiral threads of the web are N 10 and M 9 in the numerical results given below, if they are not specied explicitly. Typical values of

These spiders construct two-dimensional, round webs from a combination of stiff, strong radial silk and highly elastic, glue-coated capture spirals. Orb webs must first stop the flight of insect prey and then retain those insects long enough to be subdued by the spiders. Consequently, spider silks rank among the toughest known biomaterials.

The radial threads of spider webs appear to be the most important vibration conducting elements of the web 16,37,38. The radial vibration signals consist of mainly two types, transverse and longitudinal vibrations. These vibration motions were measured by DIC. i Healthy web response.

Download scientific diagram a Spider web, b radial threads imperfect spider web, c spiral threads imperfect spider web, d central imperfect spider web, e circular rings imperfect

The most generous estimates for the roles of capture spirals and aerodynamic dissipation show that they rarely contribute more than 30 per cent and 10 per cent of the total work of stopping prey, respectively, and then only for smaller orb webs. The reliance of spider orb webs upon internal energy absorption by radial threads for prey capture

An orb-weaving spider's likelihood of survival is influenced by the ability of its web to withstand prey impact with minimum damage and at the lowest manufacturing cost 1,2,3,4,5.This set of

We propose a simple model to describe spider orb webs. The model has a formal analytical solution when no thread elements are broken. When the radial threads are sufficiently strong compared to the spiral threads, the model is free of stress concentrations even when a few spiral threads are broken. This is in contrast with what occurs in common elastic materials.