Massive Spider Colony of 111,000 Spiders Discovered in Sulfur Cave

In a remarkable discovery, researchers have found what may be the world's largest spider web hidden deep inside a pitch-black cave on the border between Greece and Albania. The massive web, spanning an area of 1,140 square feet, is home to an astounding colony of over 111,000 spiders.

The spider colony is primarily composed of two species: 69,000 Tegenaria domestica, or domestic house spiders, and 42,000 Prinerigone vagans, a type of sheet weaver. This "extraordinary" spider mega-colony has taken up residence in the 'Sulfur Cave', a part of a larger cave system with springs that feed a sulfidic stream.

Researchers estimate that the cave is also home to a staggering 2.4 million flies, which provide a plentiful food source for the massive spider colony. The spiders' location near the cave entrance, where the fly swarm hovers above the sulfidic stream, allows them to easily access this abundant prey.

Scientists were amazed to discover this unprecedented colonial behavior from these spider species, which they had never observed before. The density of the web layers made it impossible to count the exact number of egg sacs, but they noted that female house spiders typically lay multiple egg clutches every few weeks, further contributing to the colony's growth.

Remarkably, this spider population is completely isolated from the outside world, living in total darkness within the confines of the Sulfur Cave. For any unsuspecting visitors, the sight of this colossal spider web and its thousands of inhabitants would undoubtedly be a startling and eerie encounter.