Context: Recent studies by scientists from China, Madagascar, Slovenia, and the US explored Darwin’s Bark Spiders (Caerostris darwini and C. kuntneri) to understand the exceptional toughness of their silk.
About Darwin’s Bark Spider
- Scientific Name: Caerostris darwini
- Family: Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders)
- Discovery: First observed in 2001, formally described in 2009
- Habitat: Riverine forests and wetlands
- Distribution: Forests of Madagascar
Appearance
- Size: Females: 2–2.5 cm; males smaller
- Color: Dark brown with mottled patterns → camouflage against tree bark
Unique Characteristics
- Silk Properties:
oProduces largest and toughest webs known in the animal kingdom
oSilk outperforms steel and most human-made fibres in strength and toughness
oMore than twice as tough as silk from other spider species
- Web-Building:
oConstructs orb webs over rivers and streams
oWeb diameter can reach 25 m (82 ft)
oUnusual among orb-weavers, which typically build in vegetation
- Lifespan:
oShort, typical of orb-weaving spiders
oFemales live longer than males
- Ecological Role:
oControls insect populations
oMaintains riverine forest ecosystem balance
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
