Are Webspinners Dangerous? Uncovering the Truth About These Insects

Webspinning spider mites are small arthropods more closely related to spiders and ticks than insects.

They are known for their webs and can be destructive pests in agriculture. However, are they dangerous to humans?

Pests Destroying Your Garden? Learn the secrets to eliminating pests in your yard or garden in the most earth friendly way possible.

In comparison to other arachnids, webspinners are generally not a direct threat to humans, as their feeding habits focus on plants.

Their concern lies mainly within the agricultural sector, where they may cause damage to crops and reduce yields.

On the other hand, some spider species can pose risks to humans through bites, which may cause varying levels of discomfort or even an allergic reaction.

While webspinners may not be a direct danger to people, being aware of their impact on the environment and the potential risks associated with other arachnid species can help ensure a safe coexistence.

Through proper maintenance and care of outdoor spaces, we can minimize the potential for encounters with potentially dangerous arachnids and protect our crops and gardens from damage.

What Are Webspinners

Order Embioptera

Webspinners, belonging to the insect order Embioptera, are fascinating creatures found in tropical and subtropical regions across the world.

They inhabit every continent, except Antarctica, and can even be found on islands and in Virginia.

Do you want to know the secret to transform your backyard into a haven for birds and butterflies? If so, then check this course out!

Morphology

These insects, part of the subclass Pterygota, exhibit unique physical traits that make them easily identifiable:

• Small size: Webspinners are generally small in size, ranging from 2 to 25 mm in length.
• Long antennae: They have long, filiform antennae which they use for navigation and sensing their environment.
• Modified front legs: Their front legs are specialized for spinning silk, their primary method of creating webs for protection and navigation.

Walking Sticks and Praying Mantises

Webspinners share some similarities with walking sticks and praying mantises, but there are key differences:

While webspinners may appear similar to walkingsticks and praying mantises, their distinct characteristics set them apart from these other insects.

Webspinners in Nature

Habitat and Distribution

• Webspinners, also known as order Embioptera, are tropical and subtropical insects.
• They live in environments like moss, lichen, bark, and leaf litter.
• Webspinners can be found hiding in tunnels and chambers they create within their habitats.

Plant Material and Diet

• Webspinners primarily feed on plant materials such as dead leaves.
• Their diet consists of moss, lichen, and other similar organic materials.
• They use their silk-producing forelegs to spin protective webs as they consume plant matter.

Predators and Defense

• Webspinners have various predators, such as birds and larger insects.
• Among their defenses, they rely on their ability to escape quickly and remain hidden in their webs.
• Nymphs and adult webspinners can secrete silk from their abdomen, which they use to create barriers against predators.

Webspinners and Silk

Silk Production

Webspinners, insects from the order Embioptera, produce silk in a unique way compared to other arthropods.

Instead of using spinnerets like spiders, they have specialized silk ejectors on their front feet (tarsi) to produce silk.

Tunnel System

Webspinners construct elaborate tunnel systems to navigate their environment. These tunnels have the following features:

• Composed of silk and surrounding debris
• Multilayered chambers
• Used for protection, feeding, and breeding

These tunnels enable webspinners to travel safely and efficiently while remaining hidden from predators.

Parental Care

Parental care is an interesting aspect of webspinners’ behavior. Female webspinners are known to provide care for their offspring by:

• Defending the nest from predators
• Sharing their silk galleries with the young
• Providing food resources

This attentiveness ensures a higher survival rate for the webspinner’s offspring.

Silk Galleries

Webspinners’ silk galleries have unique properties, such as high hydrophobicity which makes them water-resistant.

Silk from different webspinners exhibits distinct characteristics:

These silk galleries not only provide shelter but also serve as a base for the intricate tunnel systems mentioned earlier.

Physical Features and Characteristics

Flight and Legs

Webspinners are unique insects known for their silk-producing abilities, which they use for shelter and protection.

They’re generally harmless to humans, and their physical characteristics are worth noting.

• Wings: Male webspinners have wings, while females are wingless.
• Legs: Both have short legs, but only their forelegs have basitarsomeres for spinning silk.

Here’s a quick comparison of their flight and leg features:

Color and Flexibility

• Coloration: Webspinners showcase various shades of brown and grey, camouflaging them in their environment.
• Flexible bodies: Their flexible abdomen allows them to navigate their silk galleries with ease.

Eyes and Antennae

Webspinners’ sensory organs include:

• Compound eyes: These eyes provide a broad field of vision to locate food and detect threats.
• Antennae: Playing a vital role in sensing their surroundings, webspinners’ antennae can detect vibrations and even help with communication among their colony.

Distinct Webspinner Species

Black Webspinner

• Native to California
• Dark colored body

The black webspinner is native to California and can be found in gardens or other outdoor environments.

They have a distinct dark-colored body, which helps them blend into their surroundings.

Entomologists have studied these insects to understand their unique behavior and characteristics.

Aposthonia Ceylonica

• Found in India
• Lively colonies

Aposthonia ceylonica is a webspinner species found in India, commonly known for their lively colonies.

When observed by science, the insects display distinctive behavior that sets them apart from other species.

Oligotoma Nigra

• Saliva used for web spinning
• Spider-like appearance

The Oligotoma nigra species, often mistaken for a spider due to their similar appearance, have a unique attribute: they use their saliva to spin intricate webs.

Their head structure and movements also contribute to the spider-like perception.

Comparison table

Are Webspinners Dangerous?

Webspinners and Humans

Webspinners are small arthropods closely related to spiders and ticks¹.

They pose no direct threat to humans, as they do not bite or cause pain. In general, webspinners are safe and should not be a concern for people.

Households and Gardens

Webspinners can be found in yard environments, particularly around trees and areas with moisture¹.

These creatures can become a nuisance in households and gardens when they spin webs on trees or other plants.

It’s important to note that they can damage certain plants, such as those with a diameter larger than 2½ inches².

Preventive Measures

To prevent webspinners from becoming a problem in your yard or garden, consider the following:

• Keep the area clean and free of debris
• Regularly inspect and maintain trees and plants
• Control moisture levels in the environment¹

By taking these preventive measures, you can help keep your yard and garden safe from potential webspinner infestations.

Comparison: Webspinners vs. Other Common Pests

Conclusion

In conclusion, webspinner are not dangerous to humans.

These small insects are known for their silk-producing abilities, which they use to create silk galleries in soil or plant debris.

While they may seem similar to spiders due to their silk-spinning behavior, webspinners are not venomous and do not pose a threat to people.

They feed on plant material and detritus, playing a role in breaking down organic matter in their environment.

Footnotes

1. https://extension.usu.edu/pests/uppdl/files/factsheet/web-spinning-spider-mite97.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
2. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/930 ↩

S