Permanent deformation of triangle weaver silk enables ultrafast tangle-free release of spider webs

Abstract

Entanglements are common in both natural and artificial systems and can result in both beneficial and harmful effects. Most spider webs are static structures held under constant tension and do not tangle. However, many spiders actively load tension into their webs by coiling silk threads that are released to “fire” webs at prey. Here we test whether or not tangling occurs during the rapid release of webs built by the triangle spider Hyptiotes cavatus. We use high-speed videography to examine the release of the spider’s web, looking for signs of tangling both visually on the videos and on acceleration graphs. The spider tenses the web by pulling on a silken anchor line using a leg-over-leg movement, deforming the silk into permanent coils and storing excess slack in a loose bundle between the spider’s legs. This 1–3cm long bundle of coils straightens during the web’s release in as few as 4ms. Though the messy silk coils are pressed closely together, the web’s release is never impeded by catastrophic tangling. This lack of serious tangling is perhaps due to the permanent coils preventing random movement of the silk. The coils also compact the loose silk, preventing interference with the spider’s movement. The ability to coil its anchor line allows H. cavatus to permanently restructure its silk, facilitating its active web-hunting behavior. Our findings broaden our knowledge of silk manipulation by spiders and may give insights into creating tangle-free systems through structural changes.