Russell Watkins / U.K. Department for International Development

Spiderwebs in trees in Pakistan.

Russell Watkins / U.K. Department for International Development

An unexpected side-effect of the flooding in parts of Pakistan has been that millions of spiders climbed up into the trees to escape the rising flood waters. Because of the scale of the flooding and the fact that the water has taken so long to recede, many trees have become cocooned in spiders' webs. People in this part of Sindh have never seen this phenonemon before - but they also report that there are now less mosquitoes than they would expect, given the amount of stagnant, standing water that is around. It is thought that the mosquitoes are getting caught in the spiders' webs, thus lowering the chance of being bitten. This may in turn be reducing the risk of malaria, which would be one blessing for the people of Sindh, facing so many other hardships.

It's web-tastic – 'spider trees' fight disease

That's a lot of spiders. I wonder if it harms the trees.

The Department for International Development is helping survivors in Pakistan. More information on the floods and how the UK is helping can be found at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/floodsinpakistan2010.

Discuss this post

This is unbelievable.....and a nightmare for me at the same time.....eeeeekkkkkk I hate spiders.

    Reply#1 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:36 PM EDT

    I would love to put a match to that!

      Reply#2 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:06 PM EDT

      Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

      My question is," Where do they go if the water rises above the treetops? Could it be they can float like the fireant "balls" did in south Georgia, USA back during the flood of '94.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#3 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:18 PM EDT

      What happens to them if the waters rise above the treetops?

      I think they'd roll themselves into a ball like the fireants did during the flood of '94 along the Flint River in Albany Ga. They continued to roll and breathe until they came to ground and dispersed.

        Reply#4 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:10 PM EDT

        That would be a creepy thing to happen upon. I would be scared to death if I saw something like that up close and personal. Just goes to show us that nature will find a way to prevail!

          Reply#5 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:24 PM EDT

          It's a natural wonder, right? But it's horrible the same time and worth to check it Sourcing, QC in China stin003AThotmail.com.

          That's place indicate that there must have good environment and all that is needed for most worldwide today.

            Reply#6 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:10 PM EDT

            wow., this is incredible....not a fan of spiders but its a beautiful sight.

              Reply#7 - Fri Apr 1, 2011 1:43 PM EDT
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