Spiders are uniquely characterized by their ability to produce silk nets that trap prey. The architectures of these traps are highly variable as are the physical properties of the silks from which they are spun. In this research the importance of web design and the reflective properties of web silks to the ability of insects to see and avoid them will be investigated. Factors that affect web visibility are related to the optical properties of web silks and the optical properties of websites. Although nothing is known about how insects perceive spider webs, in general insects make use of three different visual cues to evaluate their environment: contrast between objects and object background, object color and object movement. Craig will study how contrast between webs and web backgrounds and web color affect the ability of insects to see and avoid spider webs. By taking a comparative and phylogenetic approach, the field and laboratory studies will explore many of the aspects of spider foraging modes that affect their ability to capture prey. The finding that result from this research will contribute to our understanding of the evolution of predator-prey interactions, in general, as well as the effect of insect visual perception on the foraging modes of insect predators. First, this work will result in an analysis of how different components of a prey capture process constrain variations in foraging modes and hence the evolution of a predator foraging strategy. Second, by using a combination of field and laboratory approaches, these studies will help to identify the factors affecting insect visual discrimination in the field. Third, this research will contribute to an understanding of the ecological relationships between spiders and insects.
