Like a scene out of a horror movie, the town of Aitoliko in western Greece was covered in 1,000-foot-long spiderwebs.
On Monday, Sept. 17, residents reported that the area near the lagoon became the home of a type of spider called Tetragnatha, which is known to create large nests for mating. The cobwebs appeared on the eastern side of the lagoon just below the bridge and covering a vegetation.
A Seasonal Event
However, Daily Hellas revealed that the rather eerie scene is a yearly sight for the residents of Aitoliko. The warmer weather around the area has helped create ideal conditions for the spiders to come out and build giant cobwebs strung on the local flora.
Residents have also reported an increase in mosquito population this time of the year, which might have contributed to the activities of the spiders.
"It's as if the spiders are taking advantage of these conditions and are having a kind of party," said Maria Chatzaki, an expert in molecular biology and genetics. "They mate, they reproduce, and provide a whole new generation."
She assured that neither the spiders nor the cobwebs present a threat to the local community. Despite covering the vegetation along the lagoon's bank, the cobwebs will not damage trees and plants.
Professor Chatzaki also said that the phenomenon will not last long. The spiders will "party" and die out soon.
Cobweb Town
Tetragnatha spiders are not exclusive to Aitoliko, Greece. These types of spiders can be found in many areas around the world, including the United States.
In 2007, a town in Dallas, Texas found cobwebs the length of a football field in a park, enticing thousands of visitors from all over the country. Last year, a forest in Jerusalem was covered in similar spooky-looking cobwebs along the riverbanks.
This phenomenon happens when the weather is warmer and there are abundant food and humidity — the perfect conditions for eating and mating.
The spiders themselves are characterized by elongated bodies. They are sometimes referred to as stretch spiders due to their "stretched" appearance. These creatures are known to dwell around watery habitats, such as Aitoliko's lagoon, and sometimes, even walk on water.
Humans have nothing to fear. They are not a threat because they are not poisonous and are, in fact, helpful for local communities because they eat mosquitos. Giant cobwebs usually appear when there is also an abundance of mosquitos around the area to trap.
