Moth-catching by spiders the spreading behavior of capture glue depends on the morphology of moth scales


SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING (VAM)
January 3 – Febuary 28, 2021

Meeting Abstract


23-5  Sat Jan 2  Moth-catching by spiders: the spreading behavior of capture glue depends on the morphology of moth scales Diaz, C*; Aaron, E; Long, JH; Vassar College; Colby College; Vassar College cdiaz@vassar.edu

One subfamily of moth-specialist spiders, Cyrtarachninae, have evolved a situational superfluid exhibiting extraordinary strength and dynamic hyper-spreading ability, but only when in contact with the scaled integument of moths. How does this predatory system work to defeat the scale-shedding defense of moths? We hypothesize that the key feature is the 3D topology of the scales on the integument: a microscopic meshwork of branching channels. Employing a microfluidics approach, we model the glue as it flows upon the surface of the scales, permeates the surface, and then flows within the scale meshwork. Using high-speed videos of spreading, we compare expected and observed spreading rates of the leading edge of the glue droplet; simple expectations about the spreading rate can be generated from Tanner’s Law for the flow of a droplet on a surface, the Hagen-Poiseuille equation for flow in a pipe, and Darcy’s Law for capillary flow. We found that interaction between the glue of Cyrtarachninae spiders and moth scales leads to a spread over distances far greater than those of common orb-weaver glues. We predict this continued spreading is sustained by the microfluidic forces of the meshwork and aided by the large droplet size of Cyrtarachninae spiders. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2031962.

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