Webspinners are close to the spider family as they produce silk; however, they differ because they spin it from their front legs, not from the rear. They also do not spin webs, but instead create cocoons or pouches that they live inside. Their bodies are narrow so they may fit in the chambers and tunnels inside their silk homes. Females and young males never have wings; while males usually do, it is not uncommon for them to be missing. The females choose a spot for a colony to begin and will lay a single batch of eggs that hatch into nymphs. In some families it is not uncommon for the female to eat the male after mating or to not need a mate in order to lay viable eggs.