How Do Spiders Migrate To Remote Islands?

Even some of the most avid spider enthusiasts are not aware that some spiders are equipped to fly. The castaway ghost spider is one such spider, and not only can this spider fly, but it is also able to fly across oceans. Two million years ago spiders migrated to different islands via a method experts call “ballooning.”

Ballooning is a technique in which spiders use their silk as a kite to guide them through the air and into more preferable environments. Millions of years ago one type of spider made it to Robinson Crusoe Island, and today there are several different species of spider that are located on that island. Some of these spiders are still waiting to be identified by scientists. At one point in time there were not spiders at all inhabiting Robinson Crusoe Island, so to see several different species of spider on that island was a surprise to researchers. Scientists believe that Robinson Crusoe Island will keep entomologists busy for year to come.

Aside from the ballooning method, are there any other possible ways in which a spider could have found its way onto an island?