Spiders initially started producing silk for reasons other than web-making. When spiders moved from the water to the land in the Early Devonian period, they started making silk to protect their bodies and their eggs. Spiders gradually started using silk for hunting purposes, first as guide lines and signal lines, then as ground or bush webs, and eventually as aerial webs.

Spiders produce silken thread using several paired spinneret glands located at the tip of their abdomen. Each gland produces a thread for a special purpose – for example a trailed safety line, sticky silk for trapping prey or fine silk for wrapping it. Spiders use different gland types to produce different silks, and some spiders are capable of producing up to 8 different silks during their lifetime.
Most spiders have three pairs of spinnerets, each having its own function – there are also spiders with just one pair and others with as many as four pairs.
Webs allow a spider to catch prey without having to expend energy by running it down. Thus it is an efficient method of gathering food. However, constructing the web is in itself an energetically costly process due to the large amount of protein required, in the form of silk. In addition, after a time the silk will lose its stickiness and thus become inefficient at capturing prey. It is not uncommon for spiders to eat their own web daily to recoup some of the energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus recycled.

Fabulous shots! You found a great angle and the web is very nice! imrepapa · 2010-08-21: 04:13

Excellent post ! finbarr · 2010-08-21: 05:04

Fantastic shots! wildduck · 2010-08-21: 05:17

SPLENDID POST ! Davorka · 2010-08-21: 05:29

Very infromative and nice shots. I like the crocosmia in the bakground. I have some in my garden but it didn't do as well this year. Lynda · 2010-08-21: 05:58

Fantastic! jet28 · 2010-08-21: 06:06

Nice shot MAZDA · 2010-08-21: 06:46

Great post! That is quite a big web! HoosierAtHeART · 2010-08-21: 07:43

Wonderful! blu06 · 2010-08-21: 08:58

Amazing photo when enlarged! And thanks for the crash course on spiders! Jothindra · 2010-08-21: 11:40

Wonderful set!!!!! Thank you sharing this shots and information.(I came to know they can produce many different silks..!!!) skskz · 2010-08-21: 11:41

WOW! Impressive post, Sadhya. Thanks for sharing. ^_^ ????? · 2010-08-21: 12:46

Amazing photos! :) ????? · 2010-08-21: 15:39

excellent post! Eiram · 2010-08-21: 16:29

Perfect job! ... Amazing shots! Shaparak · 2010-08-21: 18:41

Fantastic shots..and interesting facts! NellyBly · 2010-08-21: 19:35

Beautiful capture! darfoster · 2010-08-21: 23:45

Superb capture!! Love the last great web, thanks for sharing:)) nssco50 · 2010-08-22: 01:47

oh yes, this is the way I took those shots mentioned in the next post :) Thanks for the information attached. I observed them how skillfully and artistically they make the web! incredible!! miltonjacob · 2010-08-22: 12:58

So beautiful with the flowers in the back! hannamagnusson · 2010-08-22: 14:47

Great colours noptek · 2010-08-22: 17:10

you've got here a cute Araneus diadematus (european garden spider) they are one of my favorite spiders! they are so cute!:) onlyricky · 2010-08-22: 18:11

I watched a spider build a web one time....an amazing experience! You've captured this little critter and its handiwork wonderfully! lookagain · 2010-08-22: 19:30

Ever read 'Web' by John Wyndham? ????? · 2010-08-23: 15:56