The invention relates to a device for taking up the thread in textile machines in which the tow or yarn travels from the drawing system to the wind-up unit through a closed conduit, either at the start of the spinning or after a breakage of the thread, comprising a bell shaped member, connected at its base to an aspiration unit through a flexible tube, and an electrically conductive spring lodged in the bell member so as to protrude beyond the mouth thereof, the spring being electrically connected to the aspiration unit, so that the aspiration action is started upon the spring contacting metallic parts, like the outlet of the thread to be fed to the drawing system.