Potential impacts of the invasive Joro spider in Southern US

Monday, November 11, 2024

11:30 AM – 11:42 AM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 122 A, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

BB

Brittany Barnes

PhD Student
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Co-Author(s)

ME

Matt Elliot

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Athens, Georgia
RE

Rhys Eshleman

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
EG

Erin Grabarczyk

Valdosta Univesity
Valdosta, Georgia
CM

Colton Meinecke

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Jason M. Schmidt

Associate Professor
University of Georgia
Tifton, Georgia
CV

Caterina Villari

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
KG

Kamal J.K. Gandhi

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata), an invasive species from East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan), was first reported in northeastern Georgia in 2014 in Madison, Jackson, and Barrow counties. It has since spread to over 50 counties in Georgia and four adjoining states, indicating that it will keep expanding throughout the southeastern U.S. With the rapid expansion and population explosion, the central question is whether Joro spiders are having potential ecological impacts on native arthropod species.

Our study is assessing the diet breadth of Joro spiders by analyzing gut contents of male and female spiders. We are also determining whether Joro spiders are displacing native spider species, and we are undertaking experimental manipulations by removing Joro spider webs and assessing responses of native species.

During spring and fall 2022-2023, we collected male and female Joro spiders along with their prey remains in the from four habitat-types (urban, forested, suburban, and rural). All spiders were imaged and dissected until DNA was extracted from them. Molecular analysis via DNA metabarcoding is being performed.

Counting's and removals were conducted weekly for six weeks in the fall time in 2023. All data are currently being processed and analyzed.

Overall, this study will provide critical information on whether Joro spiders are having significant impacts on native arthropods directly through predation and indirectly through displacement via building large and strong webs.