The bewitching creepiness of Jerusalem's giant spider webs
A confluence of ecological conditions has created a gossamer kingdom in the Holy Land
(REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)The architects of this gossamer kingdom are millions of long-jawed spiders with an unusually large food supply. A nearby treatment plant feeds its nutrient-rich sewage into the Soreq creek, which encourages a proliferation of mosquitoes. The fingertip-sized arachnids then feast on these mosquitoes and likewise reproduce on an unusually massive scale.Long-jawed spiders are found all over the world, often by the banks of lakes and rivers. But the Soreq's monumental cobwebs are still rare, particularly in the Middle East."It's an exceptional case," one doctoral student at Hebrew University's Arachnid Collection told Reuters.But, according to Reuters, the haunting marvel won't last long. As winter creeps in, the cold temperatures will wipe out a large swath of the mosquito population, depriving the eight-legged master weavers of a steady food source.Below, take in this creepy city of silk before it's gone:
-
Trump vs. states: Who gets to regulate AI?Feature Trump launched a task force to challenge state laws on artificial intelligence, but regulation of the technology is under unclear jurisdiction
-
Decking the hallsFeature Americans’ love of holiday decorations has turned Christmas from a humble affair to a sparkly spectacle.
-
Whiskey tariffs cause major problems for American distillersIn the Spotlight Jim Beam is the latest brand to feel the pain
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
