Spider's web

[bigelaine2]

Last night I was watching a spider who seemed to be destroying his/her web.  The spider seemed to be 'eating' the inner section of its web while keeping the outer anchor strands intact.  While I was watching it, it managed to 'eat' from about 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock (if you imagine the web as a clock face).  My questions are

1.  Was it infact eating the web?
2. Why?
3. Was it intending to build a new web or repair the one it was on?

[Jackanory]

I've googled around & discovered that yes, spiders do sometimes consume webbing.  They can recycle this valuable protein to create more web.  Isn't that fascinating?  I'm no expert but I'm guessing yours was going to repair the web it was on because spiders do abandon old webs when they've finished with them. (I suppose the webbing has to be fresh to be of any use).

Have you had a look at the web tonight to check its condition?

[bigelaine2]

Thanks for your reply Jackanory.  I shall have a look tonight and see if my friend is still there or has moved on! I'll let you know. Thanks

[bigelaine2]

Looked at the web last night and it was back to its full slendour, the spider was obviously just doing some DIY.

[Jackanory]

Wonderful!  As the song goes, "Contemplatin nature can be fascinatin"! :o)