Mechanical performance of spider orb webs is tuned for high-speed prey

摘要: SUMMARY Spiders in the Orbiculariae spin orb webs that dissipate mechanical energy of their flying prey, bringing insects to rest and retaining them long enough for spider attack subdue meals. Small prey are easily stopped by but provide little energetic gain. While larger offer substantial nourishment, they also challenging capture can damage web if escape. We therefore hypothesized exhibit properties improve probability stopping while minimizing when those exceeds web9s capacity. Large typically both heavier faster than smaller speed plays a disproportionate role determining total kinetic energy, so we predicted may more effectively under impacts, independent per se . used high-speed video visualize impact wooden pellets fired into simulate strikes tested how varied as function pellet size speed. Capture was virtually nil above speeds ~3 m s −1 However, successful captures do not directly measure maximum possible dissipation because these events include lower-energy impacts significantly challenge performance. Therefore, compared removed from projectiles escaped breaking through silk, asking whether at speeds. Over range relevant insect flight, amount absorbed increases with (i.e. rates which stretched). Orb respond – hence higher better performance, suggesting adaptation prey. This speed-dependent toughness complex structure suggests utility intrinsic silk and/or features macro-design high-velocity industrial or military applications, such ballistic absorption.