Giant 1,000m spider web covers Greek lake

'Weather conditions are ideal for them to multiply,' a biologist says

(REUTERS)

A lake in northern Greece has been transformed into a scene out of horror movie after it was cloaked in a 1,000-metre web spun by a huge swarm of spiders.

Eerie pictures of Lake Vistonida show roadside bushes, fences and small trees completely covered by the cobwebs.

Experts say that the rare phenomenon was a result of hundreds of thousands of Tetragnatha, known as stretch spiders, gravitating to the area in unseasonably warm weather.

The arthropods are known to build webs near watery habitats, with some species even said to be able to walk on water.

Lake Vistonida is covered by a giant spider's web (REUTERS)

A rise in the mosquito population has also boosted the number of spiders looking to feed on the insects while weaving their nests for mating.

“It’s caused by an overpopulation of spiders…there is an abundance of food available,” local environmental park biologist Euterpe Patetsini told Alpha TV.

Biologists warned that the web will spread further as higher temperatures and rising humidity provided the ideal fertile growth conditions for the spiders.

“Weather conditions are ideal for them to multiply,” Ms Patetsini added.

Swarms of spider have spun a 1000-ft web in Greece (REUTERS)

A similar occurrence happened in Greece last month when scorching temperatures led to the emergence of an incredible 1,000-foot spider web covering the whole eastern side of a lagoon in Aitoloko.