The frequency and form of visual signals can be shaped by selection from predators, prey or both. When a signal simultaneously attracts predators and prey selection may favour a strategy that minimizes risks while attracting prey. Accordingly, varying the frequency and form of the silken decorations added to their web may be a way that Argiope spiders minimize predation while attracting prey. N...

Awards such as orders, medals and decorations are a global phenomenon; they exist everywhere in society and in all times. They serve as signals to generally indicate socially desired behavior as well as motivators for individual persons. Awards in the form of orders, crosses, decorations, prizes, and titles, are non-material, but extrinsic incentives. The realm of awards is quite vague. The sem...

Diverse functions have been assigned to the visual appearance of webs, spiders and web decorations, including prey attraction, predator deterrence and camouflage. Here, we review the pertinent literature, focusing on potential camouflage and mimicry. Webs are often difficult to detect in a heterogeneous visual environment. Static and dynamic web distortions are used to escape visual detection b...