This behavior is called ballooning and the silk threads used are called gossamers. The spiderlings climb to the tops of grass, tree branches or other tall objects. Then they release strands of silk into the wind until the gossamers are long enough to catch the wind and pull the spiderlings off into the air. With this trick, spiderlings can fly without wings and are carried into new areas quickly. This allows them to spread out and avoid competing with brothers and sisters.
Ballooning is an ingenious way to increase survival chances and to travel into new areas.
If you're not a spiderling, don't try this method of flight at home. Doug Jackson and Debbie Leach are naturalists at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood. Sensational Spiders Scientists have identified more than 37,000 species of spiders around the world. More than 300 species of spiders live in Missouri. Spider silk is the strongest natural fiber known.