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Science 20 November 1964:
Vol. 146. no. 3647, pp. 1058 - 1061
DOI: 10.1126/science.146.3647.1058
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Articles

Adhesiveness of Spider Silk

Thomas Eisner 1, Rosalind Alsop 1, and George Ettershank 1

1 Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Moths, by virtue of the loose scales that cover their wings and bodies, are admirably adapted to elude capture by orb-weaving spiders. Rather than sticking to the web, they may simply lose some of their scales to the viscid threads, and then fly on. Other insects, covered with detachable hairs or waxy powder, are similarly protected against entrapment. Quantitative data are presented on the adhesiveness of spider thread to insect cuticles oq various kinds.


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)