Stabilimentum
- Pronunciation
- /stuh-bil-i-MENT-um/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Stabilimentum
- Plural
- Stabilimenta
Definition
A conspicuous silk structure in the webs of some spiders, thought to serve various possible functions like attracting prey, camouflaging the spider, or stabilizing the web.
Etymology
Latin *stabilimentum*, meaning 'a stabilizing substance'.
Example
The spider uses stabilimentum to create distinctive patterns in its web, which may help in prey attraction or camouflage.