A. Apply spider pheromones to crops

B. Apply an electric field to crops

C. Play Rachmaninov’s prelude in c sharp minor near crops

D. Place a thumper near crops

Spiders can decide to take a tour of the world under the impetus of wind or an electric field. This excursion can cover anywhere from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers. Their ticket consists of producing a thread that then floats and is picked up by wind or an electric field. You can tell they are ready to depart because they stick out their rear end, also called ballooning.

Research is being conducted into whether this characteristic can be utilized by subjecting fields of crops to a light electric field to attract spiders as natural pesticides.

• For more information: https://asknature.org/strategy/spiders-surf-on-electric-fields/
• Credit image: Kathryn Krupin, asknature