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Story: Spiders and other arachnids

Wrapping up prey

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Wrapping up prey

Spiders produce a variety of silk. Wrapping silk traps prey with glue droplets on the web. The spider then paralyses the insect with venom so it cannot escape. This may also stop it from drying out, so the spider can enjoy a juicy meal hours later.

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Private collection

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.

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How to cite this page

Simon Pollard, Spiders and other arachnids – Webs, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12710/wrapping-up-prey (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Simon Pollard, published 1 March 2009.