NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Recent reports from various locations in the United States have raised curiosity and concern among residents as they witness spider webs seemingly falling from the sky. These unusual occurrences have been observed in places like San Francisco, San Jose, Danville, Gilroy, and Monterey County.
Some individuals have even shared videos and descriptions of these events on social media, prompting discussions and theories about what might be causing this peculiar phenomenon.
One resident from California recorded a video showcasing these enigmatic spider webs and requested assistance in unraveling the mystery. To add another layer of intrigue, there have been accounts of these spider silk threads emitting a chemical-like odor, and in some instances, they ignited into fireballs with a plastic-like burn.
Biologist Fred Larabee from San Jose State University suggests that these spider webs falling from the sky are likely related to the activities of baby spiders that are in the process of dispersing.
These young arachnids produce silk threads as part of their natural behavior to migrate to new habitats. Larabee explains that the silk threads are woven by baby spiders to escape the location where they hatched, ensuring they won’t compete with their relatives in the same area.
Once these silk threads are released, they become airborne, carried by the wind, and deposited in new locations that serve as their future residences and habitats.
California State University Monterey Bay professor John E. Banks supports a similar theory, emphasizing that spiders tend to produce silk threads when they are frightened or facing scarcity of food.
These silk threads can be picked up by the wind, providing a method for the spiders to relocate. Banks also suggests that this behavior may be an evolutionary adaptation for spiders residing in regions where the availability of their primary food sources is inconsistent, such as agricultural areas.
While the phenomenon of spider webs falling from the sky may appear unusual or even unsettling, it can be attributed to the remarkable and intricate behaviors of these arachnids.
These events serve as a testament to the resourcefulness and adaptability of spiders as they seek new habitats and navigate the challenges posed by changing environments.
—
Online:
News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.
To eliminate any confusion arising from different time zones and daylight saving changes, all times displayed on our platforms are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).