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Theuseoforbwebspidersasapossiblemodelforstudyingthepsychoactivepotentialofcompoundsforhumanconsumption.

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GordonBallantyne

RhodesUniversity

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Research Project

(Phase A)

The use of orb web spiders

as a possible model for

studying the psychoactive

potential of compounds for

human consumption

Supervisor:

JS Herbst MMedSc; DipDatam; HonnsBSc(Ind.Pharm).

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1

THE USE OF ORB WEB SPIDERS AS A POSSIBLE MODEL FOR STUDYING

THE PSYCHOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF COMPOUNDS FOR HUMAN

CONSUMPTION

Gordon Ballantyne

Abstract

Nicholas Bercell (1957)1 notes that extensive changes occurred in the webs of

the spider Z. x-notata following administration of serum from schizophrenic

patients. Following Burcell, this present project investigated the suitability of

two species of orb web spiders to serve as a model for web construction

analysis after administration of common household products as an indicator

for possible psycho-activity in humans.

Five spiders each of A. australis and N. pilipes fenestrata were captured in

local gardens in the Eastern Cape (South Africa) and kept in wooden-framed

cages closed with glass panels to facilitate observation of the webs.

The spiders were initially fed insects and sucrose water. Their webs were

then photographed and measured (variables: web size, strands per web) and

then broken. These observations were repeated on the resulting new webs.

After baseline observations with sucrose, dilutions of a caffeine-containing

soft drink and a herbal tea were administered, and further observations made

on the webs that followed.

Measuring web size and strands per web allowed strands per cm² to be

calculated for comparison and statistical analysis of the results. However,

variables could be measured for A. australis only, as the webs of N. pilipes fenestrata were too untidy and haphazard to allow for the collation of

quantitative data.

A. australis was found to be a suitable model for investigating the potential

psycho-activity of select household products since these spiders not only

produced neat webs on which quantitative measurements could be made, but

also displayed predictable changes following the administration of caffeine, a

known psycho-active substance in humans. (Goodman & Gilman, 1975:368).

References

1. SchizoidSpiders/Printout/Time.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809447,00.html

(accessed 21 May 2009).

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Contents Pg

1. Introduction 3

2. Background information 4

2.1 Psychoactive drugs 4

2.2 The construction of the orb web 5

2.3 Spiders used in this experiment 6

2.3.1 The Argiope australis (common garden spider) 6

2.3.2 The Niphila pilipes fenestrata (golden orb spider) 7

3. Aim 8

4. Evaluation:

See 7. Analysis & Discussion 8

5. Method 9

5.1 Equipment 9

5.1.1 Materials and solutions 9

5.1.1.1 Sucrose water 9

5.1.1.2 A popular caffeinated soft drink 9

5.1.1.3 A popular herbal tea 9

5.2 Feeding 9

5.2.1 Actual Feeding schedule 10

5.3 Administration of possible psychoactive solutions 10

5.3.1 Preparation of treatments 11

5.3.1.1 Treatment A: Sucrose water 11

5.3.1.2 Treatment B: Caffeine containing solution 11

6. Results 12

7. Conclusion 14

8. Analysis & Discussion 15

9. The way forward 16

10. Acknowledgements 17

11. Glossary 18

12. Bibliography 19

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2009 Science Expo 1 Introduction

After reading an article on the Internet about a Doctor named Dr. Bercel who

did an experiment with spiders and the way they spin their webs if given blood

from a schizophrenic person, (Schizoid Spiders/Printout/Time ->

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ article/0,9171,809447,00.html) and

from hearing from our minister, Rev. Jan Herbst who did a similar experiment

but only with drug solutions like LSD, I thought to myself that it would be an

excellent idea to do the same experiment, but only this time not by using

blood from a human to test for Schizophrenia or by using drug solutions. But I

would instead use possibly psychoactive substances to see if it would affect

the way in which the spider spins its web.

Everything that I have learned from reading articles and from being assisted

by experienced persons in this field and from my own research, it is absolutely

mind boggling to think what story these creatures can tell us from the web

that they spin. For example the web of the spider will be spun totally

erratically if the drop of the schizophrenic patient’s serum is fed to the

spider. (Schizoid Spiders/Printout/Time ->

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809447,00.html) Until

recently, there was no simple test of showing whether a person is

schizophrenic or not but the spider’s web can (Herbst, J.S. 2009. Personal

communication). Spider web analysis may provide early indications of potential

psychoactivity of new substances anticipated for use in humans. Many over-

the- counter remedies have not been adequately tested for their effects on

the moods of patients and web analysis may provide a way of indicating

potential problems (op.cit.).

I truly believe that this investigation will capture the imaginations of others

and make others change the way they think about these wonderful creatures

and that it will also help us as humans in the future for our wellbeing.

Before I undertook the task of this project I had a slight fear for spiders

and as time went on I really grew quite fond of them. They have helped me

overcome my fear for spiders and instead of running for the insecticide in the

future I’ll remember not to kill the spider because it keeps the various

populations of pests under control.

Spiders that were used in this experiment were all released back into their

natural environment and were not harmed in any way.

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2 Background information

2.1 Psychoactive drugs A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that

acts on the central nervous system of a human being where it modifies brain

function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood consciousness

and behaviour. These drugs may be used recreationally to purposefully alter

one’s consciousness, or therapeutically as medication. (Wikipedia, the free

encyclopaedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_drug)

In this experiment a caffeine containing popular soft drink with a known

caffeine content, was used as a test psychoactive substance (Caffeine

content: caffeine (34mg per 330ml, about 0.01%w/v) It was tested on the

Argiope australis.

Caffeine is a powerful Central Nervous System stimulant (CNS). Caffeine

excites the CNS at all levels. The cortex is first affected and then the

medulla, while the spinal cord is stimulated only by very large amounts.

(Goodman & Gilman. 1975 p 368).

Caffeine stimulates all portions of the cortex. Its main action is to produce a

more rapid and clearer flow of thought, and to relieve drowsiness and fatigue.

These effects may be brought on by the administration of 150 to 250mg of

caffeine to a person, the amount contained in 1 or 2 cups of coffee or tea

(op.cit.).

After the administration of large amounts of caffeine, the entire CNS,

including the spinal cord, is stimulated. In experimental animals this may lead

to chronic convulsions and death. However, in man the toxic dose of caffeine

is so large (over 10g) that human fatality is unlikely (op.cit.).

A herbal tea (Aspalathus linearis) extract was used on the Niphila pilipes fenestrata to see if there would in fact be any changes in the web it spins,

and possibly even show this herbal tea extract to be possibly psychoactive.

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2.2 The construction of the orb web

Orb web spiders have several spinneret glands located on their abdomen,

which produce the silken thread. Each gland produces a thread for a special

purpose. Seven different gland types have currently been identified, although

each species of spider possesses only a few of these types, never all seven at

once. (Construction of a web at

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Info/Construction_of_a_web.html)

Normally a spider has three pairs of spinnerets, but there are spiders with

just one pair or as many as four pairs of spinnerets, with each spinneret

having its own function- producing, in main, two types of thread: adhesive

threads for trapping prey and non-adhesive threads for web structure and

free movement of the spider (op.cit.).

During the process of making a web, the spider will use its own body for

measurements, a very practical and ergonomic design feature of any web. This

will allow the spider to move quickly around its own web with very few faults

(op.cit.).

It will start with the most difficult part of construction, the first thread.

The spider effectively uses the wind to carry its initial adhesive thread. With

some luck, the silk is released from its spinners and carried by the wind to a

suitable adherable surface. When it sticks to a surface, the spider will

carefully walk over the thread and strengthen it with a second thread. This

process is repeated until the primary thread is strong enough to support the

rest of the netting (op.cit.).

After strengthening the first thread, the spider will continue to make Y-

shaped netting. The first three radials of the web are now constructed. More

radials are added, making sure that the distance between each radial is small

enough to cross. This means that the number of radials in a web directly

depends on the size of the spider plus the size of the web (op.cit.).

After the radials are complete, the spider will fortify the centre of the web

with about five circular threads. Then a spiral of non-sticky, evenly spaced,

circular threads are made for the spider to easily move around its own web.

The spider then, beginning from the outside in, will methodically create the

adhesive spiral threads. It will utilize the initial radiating lines as well as the

non-sticky spirals as guide lines. The spaces between each spiral will be

directly proportional to the distance from the tip of its back legs to its

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spinners. This is one way the spider will use its own body as a

measuring/spacing device (op.cit.).

After the spider has completed its web, it will chew off the initial three

centre spiral threads then sit and wait. If the web is broken without any

structural damage during the construction, the spider will not make any

serious attempts to rectify the problem (op.cit.).

Webs allow a spider to catch prey without having to expend energy by running

it down. Thus it is an efficient method of gathering food. However,

constructing the web is in itself an energy-costly process due to the large

amount of protein required, in the form of silk. In addition, after a time, the

silk will lose its stickiness and thus become inefficient at capturing prey. It is

not uncommon for spiders to eat their own web daily to recoup some of the

energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus recycled. (op.cit)

2.3 Spiders used in this experiment:

2.3.1 The Argiope australis (Common garden spider)

The average length of the female is 7-24mm and 2-10mm for the male. The

female’s leg span can reach to as long as 80mm. (Hawthorne, T. 1998)

Identification of the spider: the female is usually silver and yellow or black

and yellow, with black markings and sometimes with a ribbed abdomen. She has

long banded legs. The males are usually small and plain (op.cit.). It is easiest to

use the female spiders when it comes to testing because they are the largest

and a good size to handle when it comes to feeding and the size of the webs

they spin.

It is commonly found in built up areas in the grass or low vegetation. They are

diurnal, sedentary and web-bound. The female hangs with her head down in the

web, with two pairs of back and two pairs of front legs held together. Once

prey is captured the spider wraps it in silk and then bites and kills its victim.

Sometimes the prey is left hanging wrapped in the silk until the spider is

hungry. It mainly preys on insects. The venom is not fatal to man; it only

results in slight swelling. It spins a huge wheel-like orb web, up to 75cm across

and always with characteristic stabilimentum. Argiope spiders are also known

as writing spiders because of the stabilimentum they spin. (Hawthorne,

T.1998). The stabilimenta functions to stabilize and strengthen the web. Some

experiments have shown that its function is also to advertise the presence of

their web to birds allowing them to avoid the web.

(http://www.takeahike.co.za/Cape%20Town%20Corner/Article%2004/Argiope

%20australis)

Three spiders from this species were used in this experiment.

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2.3.2 The Niphila pilipes fenestrata (Golden Orb)

The average length of the N. pilipes fenestrata is 13-40mm for the female

and ± 6mm for the male. The female’s leg span is up to 80mm. It is easiest to

use the female spiders because they are the largest and a good size to handle

when it comes to feeding and the size of the webs they spin. (Hawthorne, T.

1998)

Identification of the spider: the female is larger than the male. The female

has an elongated cylindrical abdomen intricately patterned in black and yellow,

blue or rufous. She has extremely long legs, often with dense tufts of hair. It

is diurnal (active by day). It is also sedentary and web bound. It hangs with its

head facing downward in the hub of the web, which is often strung with debris

of old prey, resembling stabilimenta. Smaller males are often found in the

females’ webs. The venom is not fatal to man, it only results in slight swelling.

It spins a huge yellow orb web (up to 1m in diameter). It preys on insects. The

female reproduces up to four egg sacs a season (op.cit.).

During the testing I also made a few observations about the behaviour of this

particular species of spider: The nature of these spiders differs from

individual to individual: some are docile and friendly and others are more

aggressive, making it more difficult to administer the treatments. Five

spiders from this species were used in this experiment.

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3 Aim

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the suitability of two common

species of spiders (A. australis and N. pilipes fenestrata) as suitable models

for the testing of compounds for possible psychoactive activity.

4 Evaluation:

See under 7. Analysis & Discussion

The Model will be regarded as valid if modifications of web patterns after

administration of possible psychoactive drugs are reproducibly observed. Both

the webs of A. australis and N. pilipes fenestrata spiders will be evaluated

according to these criteria.

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5 Method

5.1 Equipment

Cages: Square wooden frames were provided for the spiders to spin their

webs on and a pane of glass on either side of the frame to stop the spider

from escaping, while allowing experimental observations to be made.

(Not drawn to scale)

Needle & Syringe: Promex

sterile blunt Needle and Monoject 3cc Syringe

5.1.1 Materials and Solutions

5.1.1.1 Sucrose water 1% m/v in purified water. One drop (about 0.08ml) was

administered at a time.

5.1.1.2 Caffeinated soft drink of 1ml to 100ml of water v/v dilution.

5.1.1.3 Herbal tea of 2.5g in 200ml boiling water left drawing for 15 seconds,

30 Seconds and 45 seconds.

5.2 Feeding

When the spiders were kept in captivity it was vitally important that they

were fed their normal staple food diet that they would have in nature. In

order to have had a suitable control they were all fed grasshoppers. It was

also very important not to over-feed the spider before the administration

because she will only spin if she is hungry. Before administration could begin

the spiders had to get used to being fed with a Needle and Syringe. It was

fed sucrose water with a monoject 3cc Syringe and Promex sterile blunt

needle. A drop (0.08ml) of the sucrose water was placed on the spider’s

mandibles with the tip of the blunt needle. After it got used to taking sucrose

water, it sat waiting for the needle, thinking that it is going to receive sucrose

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10

water but this time instead it got fed the possibly psychoactive substance of

0.08ml and drank it thinking that it was the sucrose water.

5.2.1 Actual feeding schedule

Feeding one juvenile grasshopper per spider per day plus sucrose water

(Treatment A) or caffeinated soft drink (treatment B) as per the following

schedule:

Introductory period:

For five days: treatment A to customise the spiders to the administration of

liquids plus grasshopper.

Treatment period:

(i) 9.50am: photograph and measure web

10am: Feed grasshopper to the spider

8pm: 0.08ml of treatment A

8.30pm: Break the control web

(ii) Same schedule but treatment B

File measuring data and complete data tables

5.3 Administration of possible psychoactive solutions

Spiders are extremely sensitive creatures, so it was very important that

extreme caution was taken when feeding the spider the possible psychoactive

substances because it is very likely that harm or even death could occur if the

dosage was too strong.

The monoject 3cc Syringe and Promex sterile blunt needle was used to feed

the spiders the possible psychoactive substances. To prevent possible harm to

the spider, the cutting edge of the needle was removed.

The A. australis was fed the caffeinated soft drink (treatment B) as a

possibly psychoactive substance. It was used as caffeine substitute because

it was difficult obtaining pure caffeine. The following ingredients are found in

this particular caffeinated soft drink: carbonated water, sugar, caramel,

phosphoric acid, flavourant and caffeine (34mg per 330ml. That is about

0.01% m/v.) (Approximately less than half the amount found in coffee).

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The N. pilipes fenestrata was fed the Rooibos extract as a possible

psychoactive substance.

HRooibos is said to be caffeine free and is high in antioxidant compounds, and

low in tannin. Some anecdotal evidence states that Rooibos slows aging, aids

digestion, alleviates nausea, heartburn, ulcers and constipation, promotes bone

and teeth strength, and is a mild relaxant good for drinking before bed.

(Miro Tea: Rooibos: Some health information at

http://mirotea.blogspot.com/2008/06/rooibos-health-benefits.html)

The first administration was done with 2.5g Rooibos in 200ml boiling water,

drawing for 15 seconds and then left to cool before a drop was fed to the

spider. After the spider spun it was rested for five days before the same

procedure was repeated only this time the Rooibos was left drawing for 30

seconds. After it spun it was once again left to recuperate for another five

days. The same procedure was now repeated again only this time the Rooibos

was left to draw for 45 seconds.

5.3.1 prep treatment Note: let the caffeinated soft drink be denoted by treatment B, and let the

placebo (sucrose water) be denoted by treatment A. 5.3.1.1 Treatment A: Sucrose water

1 gram of sugar dissolved in 100ml of purified water.

Dose: 1 minum (about 0.08ml)

5.3.1.2 Treatment B: Caffeine containing solution

1ml of a popular caffeinated soft drink diluted to 100ml of purified water

Dose: 1 minum (about 0.08ml or about 0.008mg per dose)

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12

6 Results

There are no known variables in the literature that may be used to quantify

web changes due to the administration of possible psychoactive substances to

the spider subjects. Previously, Dr. Bercel, (Schizoid Spiders/Printout/Time

at

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ article/0,9171,809447,00.html)

administered serum from schizophrenic patients to spiders and then based his

decisions on the qualitative test of whether the web deviations, if any, on

whether there was clear disruption of web appearance or not.

I, therefore, chose readily quantifiable variables that will allow mathematical-

statistical testing. From this Phase A study it was apparent that two

variables presented themselves for measurement: The First: number of

strands per web and Second: the total surface area of the web. These two

variables may be combined into a third variable: The number of strands per

unit surface area. This last variable is formed by dividing the number of

strands per the whole web (as physically counted) by the total surface area of

the web.

Spider1

Spider2

Spider3

Total

Average

Upper

circular

web

34

30

27

Lower

web

32

26

25

Total

66

56

52

174

58

Upper

circular

web

5

5

4

Lower

web

17

13

13

Total

22

18

17

57

19

No. of strands per web

Treatment A: Sucrose water

Table: IA

Treatment B: Caffeinated soft drink

Table: IB

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The N. pilipes fenestrata was used to test the herbal tea extract.

The larger the dose of the herbal tea extract, it appeared the smaller the

web became and it was constructed more into the corner of the frame. (I’ve

also heard a very interesting story from a science teacher at school. The

story goes that when she was at school there was an urban legend going

around that if you smoked herbal tea you would believe that you are smaller

than you actually are! So it appears that the spider may have experienced

similar effects. It may also have been because the herbal tea extract had a

sedating effect on the spider and the stronger the dosage was the more

relaxed it felt and the less work it did. It may have been a coincidence or

herbal tea really does make you feel smaller, bearing in mind that spiders may

be much more sensitive than humans are).

No Web Very Untidy Untidy Good Excellent

Or

incomplete

Due to the erratic untidy nature of the N. pilipes fenestrata, its control web

can only score a 3. The 15 sec herbal tea extract test also scores a 3 because

it is still very untidy but only slightly smaller in size. Test two with herbal tea

extract drawing for 30 sec can only score a 2 because it is very untidy and

incomplete. The final test three, herbal tea extract drawing for 45 sec only

scores a 1 because there is no web.

Treatment A: Sucrose water

No. of strands per surface area of web

Table IIB

Treatment B: Caffeinated soft drink

Table IIA

Spider1

Spider2

Spider3

Average

Surface

area

696

582

540

Strands /

cm²

= 0,095

= 0,096

= 0,096

0.095

Surface

area

638

506

484

Strands /

cm²

= 0,034

= 0,036

= 0,035

0.035

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7 Conclusion

The caffeinated soft drink did show a measurable change in the web that the

A. australis spider spun. This is quite remarkable due to the fact that it was

only 1ml of caffeinated soft drink diluted to 100ml of water v/v that was

tested. Therefore the psychoactivity in the caffeinated soft drink is assumed

to be high. The A. australis may, therefore, make an excellent model for

future testing because it spins a perfect, suitable even web and it is the

tamest and easiest to work with.

The results that were obtained from the herbal tea extract that was fed to

the N. pilipes fenestrata spider showed that the tea did have an effect on the

spider. However these results cannot be taken too seriously as it was only a

mere observation. The N. pilipes fenestrata also proved to spin a very untidy

web so it would not make a good model for testing and the nature between the

different spiders varied to a large extent making it difficult to work with

them.

It finally leaves me with the question: What other food products have a

harmful effect on our nervous system that we are not even aware of?

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8 Analysis and Discussion

The frames that were used were slightly too narrow for the N. pilipes

fenestrata so it resulted in many tests not being able to be photographed as

the web was often attached to the glass. Wider frames should be supplied in

future (at least 100mm wide).

Due to the erratic web of the N. pilipes fenestrata the A. australis provides a

more suitable model. The question needs to be asked whether web changes are

in fact indicative of psychoactivity in humans. This could be verified in further

research with known psychoactive substances.

Caffeine is a known psychoactive substance (Bruntan et al. p 727) and

produces predictable web changes as shown in the results of this experiment.

Dose-activity relationships needs to be further investigated, preferably with

pure caffeine (not in the form of a caffeinated soft drink as it contains other

ingredients.)

Anecdotal evidence points to a sedative effect for Rooibos tea extract.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos)

Investigations around Rooibos are complicated by the numerous different

compounds contained in the product,

(http://mirotea.blogspot.com/2008/06/rooibos-health-benefits.html)

but the investigation of the N. pilipes fenestrata indicates the presence of

psychoactivity with a high probability.

Quantitative statistical analysis poses a number of assumptions from which

flow stringent requirements. If these requirements are not met, such breach

may invalidate the results.

In general, a sufficient sample size is required – in my understanding, 30 or

more observations are required for meaningful statistical analyses for many

of the accepted tests.

In Phase A, I was unable, due to seasonal restrictions, to find a sufficient

number of spiders to allow meaningful analyses. As Tables I to IV show, the

work was done with only three subjects. These were considered sufficient for

the pilot Phase of the project.

Table V below shows a probable statistical analytical approach (which would be

adjusted in the second Phase (Phase B)) by the involvement of a suitably

qualified statistician.

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16

The analysis presented here is simply to show the way forward and no valid

conclusions can be drawn from the outcomes – even if the tests show

overwhelming evidence of the effect of caffeine on the spiders.

By way of illustration, the statistical test employed, was chosen to be a two-

tailed, paired t-test because this appeared to me to be the test that catered

best for this Phase A: The subjects received first the innocuous treatment

(Sucrose water) and then the caffeine containing solution (Treatment B).

This project demonstrates the suitability of the A. australis as a suitable

model for testing possible psychoactivity of substances.

Table V

9 The way forward

In order to carry on with Phase B, finding a sufficient number of specimens at

the beginning of the seasonal year (no less than 12) would be vital since valid

conclusions depend on valid statistical analysis. Deciding on and obtaining all

the necessary psychoactive substances for testing is also very important. This

would involve obtaining the necessary permits from the Medicines Control

Council. The cage dimensions must suit the spider for even spinning so it does

not attach its web to the glass.

Results of the Paired t-test

Strands/

web

Surface

area

Strands/

cm²

Test A

average

58

606

0.095

Test B

average

19

542

0.035

t-statistic

0.0046*

0.0099*

0.00001*

*Highly significant

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17

10 Acknowledgements

A very special thank you to Rev. Jan Herbst who gave me all the inspiration,

motivation and guidance I needed for this project and for all the hours spent

helping me. This project would not have been possible without his enthusiasm

and knowledge. Thank you for not spoon feeding me!!!!!

Rev. Jan Herbst assisted with guidance of the following:

Setting up the project (cage sizes).

Finding suitable spiders.

Advice on dilution strengths.

Advice on data to be collected.

Assistance with interpretation of data.

Assistance with presentation of project.

Proof reading of final report.

Thank you to my parents for all the encouragement and support that they gave

me and for feeding the spiders while I was at school.

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11 Glossary

Circulars: spiral strands arranged concentrically from the outside of the web

inwards.

Diurnal: active by day.

Ergonomic: easy and comfortable working conditions.

Mandibles: the mouth parts of a spider.

Psychoactive substances: A chemical substance that stimulates the CNS.

Quantitative: Measured or measurable by, concerned with numbers.

Radials: straight strands of web from centre to outside.

Schizophrenia: a mental disorder characterized by a special type of

disintegration of personality: thought processes are directed by

apparently random personal associations rather than logically to a goal,

there is incongruity between the content of thought and the

corresponding emotion, and an impaired relation to reality. Delusions,

hallucinations, and catatonia may be predominant features.

(Butterworths Medical Dictionary. 1965.)

Sedentary: moving about very little.

Stabilimentum: the special bands of silk across the centre of an orb web.

It reflects UV-light and may function to attract prey.

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12 Bibliography

Hawthorne, T. 1998. First Field Guide to Spiders and Scorpions of

Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik.

Butterworths Medical Dictionary. 1965. London: Butterworths

Goodman, L.S. & Gilman, A. Goodman and Gilman: The Pharmacological Basis

of Therapeutics. Fifth Edition. 1975. New York: Macmillan

Bruntan, L.L., Lazo, J.S. & Parker, K.L. Goodman & Gilman’s: The

Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Eleventh Edition. 2006. New York:

McGraw Hill.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos

Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_drug

Construction of a web at

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Info/Construction_of_a_web.h

tml

Miro Tea: Rooibos: Some health information at

http://mirotea.blogspot.com/2008/06/rooibos-health-benefits.html

Schizoid Spiders – Printout - Time at

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809447,00.html

Oxford journals at

http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/7/2/195.pdfb

Argiope australis 01 at

http://www.takeahike.co.za/Cape%20Town%20Corner/Article%2004/Argi

ope%20australis

C:\Spiders\Model\Psychoactive\Substance

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Here below are some images of the webs

A. Australis regular web

1ml caffeinated soft drink to 100ml purified water

C:\Spiders\Model\Psychoactive\Substance

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N. pilipes fenestrata regular web

15 sec herbal tea drawing time

C:\Spiders\Model\Psychoactive\Substance

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30 sec herbal tea drawing time

45 sec herbal tea drawing time