Spiders use their webs as hearing aids

Researchers at Binghamton University in New York found that the insects use their webs to capture sounds, which are then vibrated through their legs.

The boffins believe that the technique could give spiders advanced warning about incoming prey or predators.

Previous studies have shown that spiders are quick to respond when something vibrates their web, but these findings show that orb-weaver spiders can also turn, crouch, or flatten out in response to sounds.

The experts found that the spiders are capable of responding to sounds as low as 68 decibels and are now looking to see if other species behave in the same way.

Professor Ron Miles, who led the study, said: "It's reasonable to guess that a similar spider on a similar web would respond in a similar way.

"But we can't draw any conclusions about that since we tested a certain kind of spider that happens to be pretty common."

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.