Biologists from the University of Georgia observed how the spider’s web of Trichonephila clavata rested on a bird 20 cm tall and weighing 70 g. published In Insects magazine.
Scientists have observed Trichonephila clavata spiders, known as Jerogumo spiders. These are nephilic orb weavers – a genus of large spiders that weave the largest cobwebs. The species is found all over Japan except Hokkaido, Korea, Taiwan, eastern China, and the United States.
The body length of the female reaches 17-25 mm, while the male is smaller, 7-10 mm. An adult female can weave a web up to one meter in diameter.
Biologists have observed for the first time how the red cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) obtains its food from the net. The bird landed in the web, frightened the spider away, and began to eat the insects entangled in the web. This took a minute, during which time the structure of the network remained intact.
According to scientists, the strength of the network is achieved through an unusual three-layer structure. In the center, the spider weaves a ball, creating two additional layers of web behind and in front of the center.