While we humans are sprucing up our homes for the holidays, one
type of spider is adding decorative flourishes to its web to
lure prey more effectively. Does that mean insects are affected
by artistic sensibilities? According to a new study from the
National University of Singapore, orb-weaver spiders will often
include decorative touches in their webs. But these touches
aren't an aesthetic choice; the web ornaments serve to attract
unwitting smaller insects into the web. The ornaments include
the usual creepy spidery flare: the remnants of previous victims
and old egg sacks. But these spider decorators also include
woven baubles, twigs, and even brightly colored flower pieces.
The festive detritus attracts the eyes of possible victims, much
like the glittering displays in department store windows do for
us. The spiders that do decorate show a pretty huge increase in
traffic: well-decorated spider webs show a more than 200%
increase in ensnared victims. Spiders Decorate Webs with
Ornaments [Discovery News]