Webs

Webs are intricate structures produced by spiders from silk spun by specialized glands and released through spinnerets. The silk is strong, light, and can have different properties depending on the species and purpose. Webs serve primarily to capture prey but also function as shelter, mating sites, and lines for escape.

There are several main types of spider webs. Orb webs are circular and typically feature a framework with radiating spokes and a sticky hub that traps flying insects. Funnel or sheet webs are less conspicuous and guide prey toward a retreat or funnel-like entrance. Cobwebs, a term often used to describe abandoned or dusty webs, are irregular, tangled, and can persist in sheltered locations. Silk properties, including stickiness and elasticity, vary among species and environmental conditions, enabling diverse trapping strategies.

Web construction is energetically costly and influenced by prey availability, humidity, temperature, and habitat. Spiders can adjust silk composition and web geometry to optimize capture efficiency. Some species rebuild or repair their webs regularly, while others relocate to new sites as conditions change.

The World Wide Web is a global system of interlinked documents and resources accessed via the Internet. It uses hypertext, hyperlinks, and web protocols such as HTTP and languages including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It was proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and developed at CERN, with the first webpage going online in 1991. Since then, the Web has grown into a dominant platform for information sharing, communication, commerce, and entertainment, continually evolving with new standards and technologies.

In broader usage, the term web can describe any interconnected network of elements, such as social, biological, or technological networks. The metaphor emphasizes interdependence and complexity rather than a simple linear path.