Shocking: The Biological Role of Static
And the memory of webs I have known
In former days I would have had rather much to say about this very interesting article on the role of static electricity in the lives of our smaller fellow travelers in the organic world.
Insects are peppered with pollen passively and spider webs pull their victims in by static cling. Amazing.
The Secret Electrostatic World of Insects
And I remembered how very many web pictures I took on Goose Creek in 20 years. There were some fine mornings wading wet to my belt in the tall meadow grass just across the creek.
Even the “gossamer spiders” I was amazed to see so long ago are assisted at launch by electrical fields.
I have been fortunate to have lived with the natural world in square miles just outside my door. Now I have carpet. And so it goes.
An interesting observation, but I would hope that Mr. Levy would provide more information about how the fields are determined. Wired magazine seems to be home for science popularizers who are light on details.
Your Goose Creek Spiderweb photos were always some of my favorites!
Your information about static electricity is amazing.