Here's an example showing how atypical orb-weaver
such as Araneus diadematus (Common Garden Spider) creates it's
web.
Step 1: The spider releases a strand of silk
and allows it to float on the breeze until it anchors itself
on another anchor point. Once the initial thread is anchored
at the remote end the spider then anchors the local end. The
spider will then traverse the initial line and drags a thicker
(proper) bridging line to replace or reinforce the original
line it floated across to create the initial line.
Step 2: The spider then once more crosses
the bridging line this time trailing a loose silk line behind her, one end has
already been fixed before she started back across. The loose silk line is then
fixed at the other-side and the spider then she descends to the center of the
loose line she has just secured to form a V. She now attaches a new silk line
and descends to the nearest solid point and attaches it to form a Y shape.
Step 3: Once the Y is secure the spider then
lays the radial spokes and sets the boundary lines. She then
begins to spin a loose spiral from the center of the web
outwards to the desired boundary.
Step 4: Once this is completed, the spider
then returns to the center and begins to spin a tighter spiral which begins to
fill in the web.
Step 5: Finally, she completes the spiral
and then designs a suitable hide at the edge of the web and waits there with a
leg on one of the radial spokes until her potential prey stumbles or flies into
the trap.
This takes around an hour and a half.
