The intentional consumption of spider silk, which is composed of proteins, by a non-spider organism, has not been observed, and consumption by non-owner spiders has only rarely been observed. Here, we report the discovery of a bagworm, likely Bambalina sp. (Lepidoptera: Psychidae: Oiketicinae), eating an orb web constructed by a juvenile Plebs sachalinensis (Araneidae), whilst moving from side to side from below. This rather adapted behaviour implies regular silk eating by bagworms, but possibly as an emergency food source, considering the date observed.
How to translate text using browser tools
5 August 2019
Discovery of a bagworm devouring an orb web
Naoki Koshidaka,
Keizo Takasuka
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
![](/ContentImages/journals/argy/18/2/2/WebImages/100.018.0200.cover.jpg)
Arachnology
Vol. 18 • No. 2
July 2019
Vol. 18 • No. 2
July 2019
Araneidae
Bambalina
Oiketicinae
Plebs sachalinensis
Psychidae
silk eating