Hawke’s Bay spiderwebs explained: What ‘ballooning’ spiders are doing

Spiderwebs strewn through Napier's Anderson Park. Photo / Sue Clark

Hawke’s Bay residents have probably noticed spider webs flying through the air and covering everything in recent weeks.

But it’s not the invasion of the spiders from Mars, the uprising of underground arachnids or Spiderman having a bad day with his aim.

It’s called ballooning, a natural phenomenon where young spiders release fine threads of silk to catch the wind and travel to new homes en masse.

It's not the invasion of the spiders from Mars, the uprising of underground arachnids or Spiderman having a bad day with his aim. Photo / Sue Clark

According to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, it is normal behaviour seen towards the end of summer and the start of autumn, as spiders search for somewhere new to disperse to.

Many spider species do it, with the younger spiders typically deciding to change locations.

The marvel usually happens at the beginning of autumn, during warm weather after rain.

The council said the event was harmless, temporary and a wonder to look at, unless you’re not a fan of spiders, or trying to do gardening in a tuxedo.