ScienceAugust 30, 2026
trichobothria
trik-uh-BOTH-ree-uh
Definition
Tiny, extremely sensitive hair-like structures found on spiders used for sensing mechanical disturbances, air movement, and potentially electric fields.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek words 'thrix' (hair) and 'bothros' (pit), referring to the way these sensory hairs are anchored in small depressions or pits on the spider's exoskeleton.
In the news
The article explains that these hairs help spiders detect atmospheric electrical conditions, possibly signaling when it is safe to launch into the air for ballooning.
Science says some spiders can launch into the sky using silk and electricity to fly and the physics is wil
Read the full article ↗The Economic Times