Do Spiders That Use Webs Kill Their Prey Immediately or Do They Sometimes Just Wrap Them Up to Deal with Later?

Spiders that employ the use of webs have developed fascinating strategies for capturing and preparing their prey. Typically, after capturing their prey, they wrap it in silk to immobilize and sometimes digest it before consumption. This behavior is observed in many web-building species, such as Orb-Weaving spiders, and is recognized as a food preservation strategy that allows them to store meals for later consumption.

Immediate Kill vs. Wrapping for Later

While some spiders do not use webs for hunting and instantly kill their prey by biting and injecting venom, many species that build webs utilize a wrapping strategy. For example, the Orb-Weaving spiders are known for this method. They wrap their prey in silk to immobilize it, often injecting venom to either further immobilize, digest, or begin the process of liquefying the prey while it's still wrapped.

Food Preservation Strategy

The behavior of wrapping prey in silk serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it allows the spider to store the meal for later consumption. Secondly, it ensures the prey remains fresh and ready to consume at a later time. This is evident in the observation of a ladybug that was captured in a web a day ago, appearing to be dead but with one wiggling antenna. This suggests the spider was keeping the ladybug alive as a food reserve, using its insect as a live meal source.

The Feeding Process

After capturing their prey, spiders typically avoid immediate consumption. They wait for the prey to struggle and tire from the struggle within the web. During this time, the spider may inject venom and digestive fluids to begin the process of liquefying the prey. The venom paralyzes the prey, and the digestive fluids break down the body into a more manageable liquid form. Once the prey is sufficiently liquified, the spider can then consume it by drinking the liquefied meal through its fangs.

Varying Strategies Among Species

Wolf spiders, for instance, do not rely on webs to capture their prey. Instead, they actively hunt and track their prey, using their fangs to inject venom, which both immobilizes and begins the digestive process. In contrast, Orb-Weaving spiders use silk to subdue and store their prey for later consumption.

Conclusion

While the strategies employed by spiders for capturing and consuming prey may vary depending on the species, many web-building spiders use a wrapping technique to prepare a meal for later. This strategy not only ensures that the prey remains freshly available but also allows the spider to manage its food supply more efficiently. These fascinating behaviors showcase the incredible adaptability and intelligence of spider species in their natural environments.

Keywords: spiders, web-building, prey entrapment, venom, feeding