How does each individual spider innately know what the architecture of their web should be without that knowledge being taught to them?

Question

Is that kind of information passed down genetically and if so, how does that work exactly? It seems easier to explain instinctive behaviors in other animals but weaving a perfectly geometric web seems so advanced it’s hard to fathom how that level of knowledge can simply be inherited genetically. Is there something science is missing?

In: 1829

Answer 1

It appears that this is directly related to the spider brain function rather than a purely mechanical response. Here are some examples of webs from spiders that have been drugged. [spiders on drugs](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_psychoactive_drugs_on_animals#:~:text=Drugs%20administered%20to%20a%20spider,the%20construction%20of%20their%20webs.)