Silkhenge

Silkhenge structures are a means of spider reproduction used by one or more currently-unknown species of spider. It typically consists of a central "spire" constructed of spider silk, containing one to two eggs, surrounded by a sort of fence of silk in a circle.[1]

In May of 2014, American Explorer Stavros Mitchelides traveled to the Tambopata National Reserve to photograph the spiders
Artist's rendering of a typical silkhenge structure

Discovery

In 2013, Georgia Tech student Troy Alexander was visiting Tambopata National Reserve in Peru. He found, under a tarpaulin, a tiny bit of silk in a circular pattern one inch wide. Searching around, he found three more. He posted a picture[2] on Reddit asking for help identifying it. No information was forthcoming, as this turned out to be a completely unknown phenomenon. His discovery acquired the name silkhenge because of its similarity to Stonehenge.

At the end of that year, an eight-day expedition led by Phil Torres found dozens more examples of this phenomenon, generally on the trunks of bamboo and cecropia trees.[3] Spiderlings hatching from the structures were documented, but like many baby arthropods they lacked the features typically used to identify adults, and none lived to adulthood. DNA tests were also inconclusive, so the species creating these structures remained unidentified. A video was posted on YouTube of spiderlings hatching.[4][5]

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References
  1. Mystery Picket Fence in Amazon Explained
  2. Seriously, who makes egg cases like this? Just under 2cm across, Southern Peruvian Amazon : whatsthisbug
  3. WE WENT TO THE AMAZON TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES THESE WEIRD WEB-TOWER THINGS
  4. Mysterious 'Silkhenge spider' is a master architect
  5. Watch Baby Spiders Emerge From Mysterious 'Silkhenge' Structures
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