Spider's web. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of gum drops on a strand of silk from the web of a garden orb spider (Araneus diadematus) attached to the leg of a captured insect. The silk strands are coated in a viscous layer that has adhesive properties. The gum droplets are thought to slow the drying of the adhesive and to improve the stopping power of the web. Garden orb spiders build their webs between low plants, where they catch flying insects. Magnification x 200 at 10cm wide.