In contrast to conventional silk fibroin, spider silk's potential as a scaffold material for tissue engineering is examined in this work. The remarkable qualities of spider silk are being researched for use in making films for tissue regeneration. In comparison to silk fibroin films, the study's analysis of orb-web spider Trichonephila clavata films highlights their improved cell adhesion and nanofibrous network structure. Tests for solubility substantiate the durability of spider silk films, while in vitro investigations demonstrate low cytotoxicity and enhance cellular viability. The conclusion highlights the exceptional properties of spider silk, which make it a viable option for tissue engineering applications and a step forward for in vitro cell culture and regenerative bioengineering.

Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the microscopic structural features and myofibril organization of cardiac muscle cells in the orb-web spider T. clavata. There are many myofibrils, many mitochondria, a large sarcoplasmic reticulum, and transverse tubules (T-tubules) in the muscle fibers, even if the myofibril striations may not be as noticeable as in skeletal muscles. Because of their consistent striations, sarcomeres are characterized by Z-lines that are 2.0 μm on average in length and do not clearly distinguish between the A- and I-bands. A single T-tubule paired with a terminal cisterna of the sarcoplasmic reticulum constitutes a dyadic junction, which is primarily located at the A-I level of sarcomeres. Cells are joined by intercalated discs, which create several linkages via specialized junctions such as desmosomes, gap junctions, and fascia adherens—all of which are essential for heart function. Our results with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly show that the contraction of the spider's heart muscle is neurogenically controlled, since each fiber is innervated by a motor neuron branch via neuromuscular junctions. These results highlight the neurogenic process controlling spiders' cardiac muscle contractions and advance our knowledge of the peculiar cardiac muscle structure of these animals.

Spider silk, which combines strength and lightness, emerges as an ideal candidate for non-woven fabric production. Unlike synthetic polymeric materials, silk are nontoxic and biocompatible and cause no allergic reaction. In particular, the dragline silk produced by the golden orb-web spider, Trichoephila clavata, is renowned for its superior strength and exceptional mechanical properties compared to other spider silks. Non-woven fabrics have found extensive applications in diverse industrial sectors, owing to their advantageous qualities such as breathability, durability, and lightweight characteristics. Natural dragline silk was extracted from the orb-weaving spider and subsequently randomly arranged. Compressing into a sheet-plane form, in addition to inducing the formation of water-resistant, stable β-sheet structures through ethanol vapor treatment or direct treatment, preserved the morphology of the silk fibers. The resulting non-woven sheets were analyzed with an field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) to observe their fine structures and mesh size were measured through image analysis.

The genus Argiope are known to decorate their webs with various patterns. The purpose of these web decorations, referred to as stabilimenta, is still a subject of debate. They are believed to serve either as lures to attract prey insects or as a means of providing protection to the spider by enhancing the web's visibility to deter potential predators. In this study, we observed spider orientation with respect to the direction of the sun in a controlled laboratory environment. To assess the orientation preference of the spider, the frame was repositioned daily by reversing its direction. Over a period of 21 days, the orientation of the spider was meticulously recorded, distinguishing between the illuminated side (open side) and the shaded side (closed side). field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) visualization were used to investigate the microstructural characterization of stabilimenta in both juvenile and adult spiders. Our results represent that the decorative structure of stabilimentum shows diverse microstructural features according to the maturation level of the spider. In addition, it has been confirmed that spiders tend to prefer the open side direction when stabilimentum is present.

This study investigated the distribution and diversity of spider communities living in natural and semi-natural environments located in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, and thereby emphasizes the importance of urban planning and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we documented 128 spider species through pit-fall trapping, sweeping, and manual collection methods and analyzed their alpha and beta diversity, nestedness, and interactions. As a result, natural habitats (forests) showed higher biodiversity and more complex species interactions. Despite anthropogenic impacts, such as human activities, urban habitats have shown notable biodiversity. Nestedness analysis and association rule learning reveal diverse community structures in multiple habitats and intricate interspecies relationships. This study highlights the importance of habitat heterogeneity in supporting biodiversity and the importance of considering multiple ecological factors in urban planning.

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch; TSSM) is an agriculturally serious pest tat has acquired strong resistance against acaricide. Alternatively, mite-pathogenic fungi could be used to control the mites. The spider mite has symbiotic microorganisms which could be involved in the physiological and ecological adaption to biotic stress. In this study, mite-pathogenic fungi were used to control female adults, and the change of microbiome in the fungus-infected mites was analyzed. The acaricidal activity of fungal isolates was tested, and Akanthomyces attenuatus JEF-147 with the highest acaricidal activity was determined, followed by semi-field assay. Microbiome in the female adults which was infected by A. attenuatus JEF-147 was analyzed, and composition of microorganism was changed by fungal treatment. In bacteria abundance, the arthropod defense-related Rickettsia increased, but reproduction-associated Wolbachia decreased. The change in major bacterial abundance in the infected mites could be explained by the trade-off between reproduction and immunity. This work describes that a possible trade-off in arthropods against fungal pathogens could be predicted by the microbiome analysis.

The series compounds from natural products are an effective repellent and deterrent against various kinds of pests. In this study, we evaluated the spatial repellency of fifteen compounds from natural products on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), in the laboratory and field by using two-choice and no-choice bioassays. In laboratory two-choice tests, six compounds displayed active spatial repellency against female adult mites at a 2mg dose. The repellency of each compound was also as effective as the 6-compound blend. Three of the six compounds showed the predominant repellent activity (over 90%) that lasted for at least 3 days in laboratory no-choice tests. In a field test, we found that the number of T. urticae was fewer in strawberry seeding treated lure with 2mg of these compounds than in strawberry seeding treated lure with solvent control. Given that the findings are efficacious, economical, and natural products, they can be used in the sustainable management of T. urticae in greenhouse.

Two species of the genus Oxytate L. Koch, 1878 have been recorded in Korea to date. The spider fauna was surveyed in the mountainous terrain of Mt. Hallasan National Park in 2019. A female of Oxytate lobia sp. nov. was collected with a sweep net between shrubs in mixed forests during a seasonal spider survey and is described with measurements, morphological illustrations, and a diagnosis. The new species can be easily distinguished from similar species within the genus by the long copulatory duct conjugated with a spermatheca, a pair of triangular pits at the bottom, and no ditches.

Arcuphantes catillus n. sp., a new species of the genus Arcuphantes Chamberlin and Ivie, 1943 is described from Korea. The present species is distinguishable from its known similar congeners by a conspicuous proximal process and a blunt lateral process of the paracymbium, feathery tipped lamellar extension of the pseudolamella, and bowl-like posterior part of radix. The present new species was collected from the leaf litter layer of mixed forest on a hillock around rice fields with a pitfall trap.

환경친화적 생물적방제를 위해 수출딸기온실에서 해충인 점박이응애 밀도 감소 효율을 화학적방제와 생물적방제로 나누어 동일한 크기의 동일한 온실에서 각각 비교하였다. 생물적방제 온실은 점박이응애의 천적인 칠레이리응 애만을 이용하였고, 화학적방제 온실은 일반 화학합성 농약을 이용하여 점박이응애의 밀도를 조절하였다. 화학적방제 온실에 비해 생물적방제 온실에서 점박이응애 모든 태의 밀도가 낮게 관찰되었으며, 생물적방제를 위한 비용이 화학적방제에 비해 낮았다. 이러한 결과는 수출딸기의 주요해충인 점박이응애의 방제에 칠레이리응애를 이용한 생물적방제가 가능한 것을 나타내고 있다.