They evolved around 400 million years ago and are among the earliest animals to live on land. Meet the eight-legged predators – spiders. With the exception of icy Antarctica, these ancient creatures can be found everywhere in the world, living in grasslands, forests, deserts, and even underwater. With over 45 000 known species on the planet, spiders are diverse critters, ranging from large and hairy to colourful and fragile. While they appear in all shapes and sizes, these arachnids have one thing in common – their contribution to ecosystems ensures we have a continuous supply of food.
Spiders are carnivores who will feed on anything they can prey on. This includes the destructive insects and arthropods which consume crops. From beetles and grasshoppers to crickets and millipedes, they eat up to 800 million tonnes of insects per year. By keeping pests in check, they’re a farmer’s true ally. Once they trap their prey in silk cobwebs, a spider’s soft abdomen allows them to consume ample food, leaving crops undisturbed.
Despite their contribution to food security, spiders are loathed by many for their erratic movements and sometimes poisonous tendencies. But the next time you notice a cobweb in your garden or in the fields of farms, know that the guardians of our crops are working as the unsung heroes of the environment. When spiders feast, so can we.
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