Sheet Weaver
ExploreInsects
Sheet Weaver
Catonetria caeca Millidge &
Sheet Weavers are tiny spiders that build their webs on flat surfaces like leaves or stones. They are skilled at camouflaging their webs to catch unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Sheet Weaver is a small, slender insect, typically grey or light brown with delicate, somewhat translucent wings. It has long, segmented antennae and a narrow abdomen, allowing it to move easily through its silken constructions. Its understated coloration helps it blend into tree bark.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumARTHROPODAClassArachnidaOrderARANEAEFamilyLINYPHIIDAEGenusCatonetria
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby Sheet Weavers help build the colony's nest right after hatching!
Sheet Weavers' silk can be stronger than steel by weight!
Some Sheet Weaver nests can house hundreds of insects!
They communicate using scent trails laid across their silk sheets.
Special abilities
Ability
Communal Silk Production
Sheet Weaver can produce large quantities of specialized silk because of powerful glands that help them build extensive communal nests.
Ability
Structural Engineering
Sheet Weaver can create multi-layered silk sheets with specific entry points that helps them protect their colony from predators and harsh weather.
Ability
Vibration Detection
Sheet Weaver has specialized leg receptors that help them detect tiny vibrations on their silken sheets to warn of approaching threats or prey.
Ability
Camouflage Integration
Sheet Weaver can integrate natural debris into its silken sheets that helps them camouflage their nests against tree trunks and branches.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 15-25 mm
- Size
- 5-10 mm
- Lifespan
- 45-75 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 150
Diet & Feeding
Sheet Weavers mostly sip sweet plant juices, but also trap small insects on their sticky silken sheets!
Age differences: Larvae are fed regurgitated food and plant fluids by adult workers.
Primary Foods
- tree sap
- nectar
- aphids
- small flies
- leaf litter microbes
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Great Tit
Parus major
Adult Sheet Weavers can be prey for insectivorous birds.
hunts
Black Bean Aphid
Aphis fabae
Sheet Weavers trap and consume these small insects on their sheets.
shelters
English Oak
Quercus robur
Their silken nests are often built on the bark of oak trees.
parasitizes
Cabbage White Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia glomerata
Larvae can be targeted by these tiny parasitic wasps.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Web Builder
This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Ambush Predator
An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Avoid touching spider webs in the wild as some spiders may bite if they feel threatened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sheet Weaver's wingspan?
15-25 mm
How big is Sheet Weaver?
5-10 mm
How long does Sheet Weaver live?
45-75 days
How fast can Sheet Weaver fly?
8 km/h
What does Sheet Weaver eat?
Sheet Weavers mostly sip sweet plant juices, but also trap small insects on their sticky silken sheets!
Where is Sheet Weaver usually found?
Forests
How does Sheet Weaver hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does Sheet Weaver have?
6
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