Story: Spiders and other arachnids

Orb-web spider (2nd of 2)

Orb-web spider

Orb-web spiders crush their silk-wrapped prey, then bathe the tissues in digestive fluid before sucking up the partially digested nutrients. When it has finished feeding, only the indigestible parts of the prey remain.

Using this item

Private collection
Photograph by Simon Pollard

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Simon Pollard, 'Spiders and other arachnids - Araneomorphs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12716/orb-web-spider (accessed 4 May 2024)

Story by Simon Pollard, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 14 Mar 2024