Welcome to the spiderverse, a world measured through webs. Biologists are harnessing the natural stickiness of arachnids’ traps to unlock efficient ways to measure biodiversity and track species.

Counting creatures requires more than just human eyes; it demands innovative techniques. Sequencing technology has revolutionized eco-surveillance by analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) from scat, soil, water, air—and now, spiderwebs. Each web acts as a natural trap, collecting material like saliva and pollen from nearby plants and animals.

Molecular ecologist Joshua Newton sampled spiderwebs near a zoo and wildlife sanctuary outside Perth to compare their biological diversity with other sources such as vegetation swabs, water, soil, and filters on moving cars. The results showed that no passive tool matched the web’s ability to identify vertebrates, echoing similar findings from France.

While gathering meaningful data requires destroying about 40 webs, this goes against conservation efforts. However, Angela McGaughran at New Zealand’s University of Waikato is developing artificial spiderwebs that can mimic these superpowers without harming the ecosystem. These synthetic webs are proving effective in snagging eDNA from nearby cows and sheep, as well as exotic birds.

The implications for plant pathologists could be significant, especially in detecting fungal spores better than real webs. As research progresses, artificial spiderwebs may offer a cheap and efficient way to monitor ecosystems around the world.