Natural phenomenon occurs in summer due to heat and humidity, and can become more frequent with climate change
Residents were surprised by a curious phenomenon: a “spiders”. During the event, hundreds of small spiders seemed to float in the sky, attached to thin web strands, creating an impressive image and for some, scary. This phenomenon, although unusual for many, is natural and occurs in intense heat and high humidity, common summer conditions. The spiders involved belong to the species Parawixia bistriatawho lives in colonies and builds large community webs at the top of trees and poles. At night they hunt insects and, at dawn, undo the webs, which gives the impression that they are “raining” from the sky. Although the scene can be astonished, experts ensure that spiders do not pose danger to humans. “These spiders are harmless and play a key role in insect control, helping to maintain the ecosystem balance,” explains biologist André Vasconcellos.
However, increased global temperatures and can make this phenomenon more frequent. Intense heat and moisture favor insect proliferation, the main source of food of these spiders. With more prey available, colonies can grow, resulting in a larger number of webs and, consequently, in more episodes of “spiders”. In addition, extreme climate events can alter the behavioral patterns of these animals, expanding their occurrence to new regions. The phenomenon has already been registered in other cities in Brazil and usually generates repercussions on social networks.
