Which theory suggests the Argiope aurantia's stabilimentum functions to reflect UV light?
Answer
Camouflage making the web more visible to prey
While the exact function of the stabilimentum remains a subject of ongoing research, one prominent theory posits that it serves to manipulate light in a way that benefits the spider's hunting success. Specifically, it is hypothesized that the silk reflects ultraviolet (UV) light. Since many insects are highly sensitive to UV radiation, this reflected light could effectively camouflage the spider against the bright backdrop of the web structure itself, or perhaps it makes the silken threads stand out more vividly to the prey, increasing the probability of interception upon approach.
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