I think that was the one?

Redback spiders, not black widows, but they're similar, aren't they?

They didn't really wrap them up such that it looked like covering them in fabric, but the threads often did go around them, disabling them entirely.

I think this might not be a redback (video at time of url).

But it's this kind of technique I've seen the redbacks use a lot in his videos.

Although the victim in this case seems to have already been trapped, it is still being enveloped.

@Cerberus_Reinstate-Monica same family of spiders yes

@Cerberus_Reinstate-Monica i think it has some to do with prey size, the spider it is catching is somewhat smaller than it, so webbing it isnt as hard

i have seen my spider web small moths and ants and stuff completely, but never has really fully webbed larger prey

iirc the redback doesnt really web this spider at all

That could make sense.

from what ive seen, they seem to be able to determine threat levels of things in their web quite well

large beetles they approach cautiously and keep at a distance, small bugs they quickly wrap and bite, things like meal worms which are large but not dangerous, they kinda half web inplace and then just start feeding almost immdiately

Good instincts.

@Dragonrage He's mad, not having some sort of a lid on that tank, surely?

@Mithrandir24601 i would definitely recommend having a lid on the tank. though black widows do have trouble climbing glass

He does have it on after a few minutes, but I'd definitely be opting for a more complicated set-up that involves having the lid on more often :P

@Mithrandir24601 when feeding i sometimes keep the lid off to watch, but i keep it handy and make sure the web isnt too close to the top so it cant get out