Spider Web Decorations Enhance Vibration Detection for Prey Hunting

According to a new study published in PLoS One in October 2025, the thick, zigzag patterns of silk known as stabilimenta found in the webs of common garden spiders and other species may serve as sophisticated vibration tuning devices. Researchers from Denmark, Italy, Sweden, and the UK have discovered that these decorations can control how vibrations travel through the web, boosting the spider's ability to locate its prey.

For centuries, the purpose of these stabilimenta has been a matter of debate. Some scientists proposed they act as a visual lure, while others suggested they serve as a warning or camouflage. However, the new study identified a crucial gap - spiders are masters at sensing vibrations, yet scientists hadn't explored how the stabilimenta might affect vibration travel.

The researchers first observed and categorized the diverse range of stabilimenta shapes, then used this data to create computational models of spider webs. The simulations revealed that for vibrations traveling directly towards the spider or perpendicular to the web plane, the stabilimenta had little effect. But for vibrations moving sideways along the web's threads, the decorations made a significant difference, allowing these signals to reach many more points at the web's center. This suggests the stabilimenta enhance the spider's ability to quickly locate its prey.

The findings have implications for both biology and engineering. In biology, the newly understood role of stabilimenta could help explain the complex balance spiders need to strike between prey detection and avoiding predators. For engineers, the research could inspire the addition of simple geometric features to control the flow of wave energy in future materials and structures.