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Nature & Environment

Scientists solve mystery of flying spiders

By T.K. Randall
July 6, 2018 · Comment icon 7 comments

Spiders are remarkable creatures. Image Credit: PD - TGoeller
It turns out that spiders are able to stay airborne over vast distances using the Earth's natural electric fields.
To fly, spiders will typically climb to the top of a tall plant and then rapidly eject large amounts of silk from their abdomen. As soon as the wind catches it, the spider will be rapidly swept up in to the air.

Over the years however, scientists have discovered that some spiders seem to be able to maintain flight for hundreds of miles even when there are no wind currents to carry them.

Now according to a new study, the answer to this lies in the Earth's natural electric fields which can electrostatically charge the silk threads and enable a spider to remain aloft for long periods of time.
In a recent experiment, sensory biophysicist Erica Morley set up a box in which she was able to reproduce the types of electric fields typically found in nature. Her findings indicated that these fields had a significant impact on a spider's ability to remain in the air.

"When they take off, you can switch off the electric field and watch them drop, then switch it on and see them rise again," she said.

Incredibly, some spiders have been known to reach altitudes of two miles or more.

No wonder our eight-legged friends have managed to colonize almost every country on Earth.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (7)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by XenoFish 6 years ago
By the title I was expecting something different. Exploding spiders.
Comment icon #2 Posted by DebDandelion 6 years ago
Very interesting read!
Comment icon #3 Posted by lightly 6 years ago
Ya, that really is fascinating
Comment icon #4 Posted by FlyingAngel 6 years ago
New power for Spider Man (in movie) : eject silk into the air and fight airborne like a bird.
Comment icon #5 Posted by Jon the frog 6 years ago
That's hot !
Comment icon #6 Posted by fred_mc 6 years ago
Interesting. Wonder if we also could use the naturally occurring electrical fields in some way.
Comment icon #7 Posted by UFOwatcher 6 years ago
Interesting story. Thanks!


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