This week is Be Kind to Spiders Week. Since all life on Earth depends on one another, I wanted to share the important role that spiders play in our ecosystem and our interdependence with them. 

E.O. Wilson, the late American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, entomologist, and author of many books, including Half-Earth, described insects as "the little things that run the world." Through his years of research, he concluded that humans would survive only a few months if insects were to disappear from Earth. 

Spiders help control pest populations, such as flies and mosquitoes, which, in turn, helps control the spread of diseases carried by these pests. They also play a significant role in agricultural settings by keeping pests at bay without the use of pesticides. As much as spiders are predators, they are also considered prey for mammals and are an integral part of the food web. 

Did you know that spiders are also pollinators? As they feed on plant nectar, they transfer pollen while moving to the next flower, which supports plant diversity. The more plants we have, the better the food webs are for wildlife and the more ecosystem services we all benefit from, including carbon storage and oxygen production. 

The next time you encounter a spider, remember that it has important roles to fulfill while it is on Earth.