Electrostatic force allows spiders to fly

Erica Morley, head of research at the University of Bristol, explains that current theories can not predict the flight patterns of these insects using only the wind as a measure. "We wanted to know if there were any other external forces, as well as the aerodynamic resistance that could trigger the flight and which sensory system could be used to detect this stimulus," said the scientist. Morley noted that spider silk is an effective insulator, but until now, it was not known that these arthropods could detect and respond to electric fields in the same way as bees.

The solution to the mystery could be in the Atmospheric potential gradient, a global electrical circuit that is still present in the atmosphere, he said.

The discovery has applications that surpbad the world of spiders, air dispersion is a crucial biological process for many caterpillars and mites. According to Morley, an understanding of the mechanisms behind this system will be of great importance to the global ecology.

The biologist pointed out that this discovery could lead to a better description of population dynamics and species distribution. and ecological resilience.

Up to now, scientists had attributed the behavior of these wingless arthropods. the "balloon flight" in which spiders can be transported for thousands of kilometers by releasing traces of silk that propels them upward in the wind.

oda / mfg