It turns out that the intricate designs of spider webs might not just be for show. A new study by University of Sydney researchers indicates that some species use their webs to actively attract prey. How? The webs reflect ultraviolet light, just like many flowers, which are a main insect food source. The researchers found that webs that had been coated with a UV-filtering substance caught far fewer flies, bees, and other insects than untreated webs.

(Source: National Geographic)

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