Spider
A spider is an arachnid in the order Araneae, distinguished by silk-producing spinnerets and usually venom-delivering fangs.
Arachnid: An arthropod with four pairs of legs and a body usually divided into two main regions. Spiders belong to this group, alongside scorpions, mites, and ticks.
Spider silk: A protein fiber produced by spiders for structures and tasks such as webs, egg cases, and safety lines. Its different forms let spiders build traps, wrap prey, and travel safely.
Spider diversity: The variety of spider species, forms, and ecological strategies found worldwide. Araneae includes web builders, ambush predators, and active hunters.
Harvestman: An arachnid in the order Opiliones, often recognized by its long legs and fused-looking body. Harvestmen resemble spiders but lack spinnerets and venom-injecting fangs.
Chelicerae: The first pair of appendages in chelicerates, modified in spiders into fangs that seize prey and often inject venom. These fang-bearing mouthparts deliver venom and help spiders handle prey.
Spider web: A structure made from spider silk, often used to intercept prey or shelter eggs. Web architecture turns silk into a prey-capture system, though many spiders hunt without webs.
Biological pest control: The suppression of pests using their natural enemies, including predators and parasites. Spiders consume many insects and can contribute to crop pest suppression.
Scorpion: An arachnid with pincers and a segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger. Scorpions are close arachnid relatives, but their body plan and prey-capture tools differ.
Spinneret: A spider's silk-spinning organ, usually located near the rear of the abdomen and connected to silk glands. Spinnerets extrude silk for webs, egg sacs, draglines, and other purposes.
Spider venom: A mixture of bioactive substances delivered by a spider bite, commonly used to subdue prey. Venom helps many spiders immobilize prey and begin its external digestion.