Joro spiders eat wider range of insects than Georgia's native orb weavers
When Joro spiders first arrived stateside more than a decade ago, scientists worried the massive black-and-yellow spiders would gorge themselves on the same bugs as native spiders (or even the native spiders themselves). If the invasive arachnids did make massive meals of Georgia's insects, the local orb weaver population—already facing dangers from insecticide and pesticide use—could suffer.
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that Joro spiders, an invasive species in the Southeastern United States, have a wider range of prey compared to native orb weavers. Researchers from the University of Georgia and Valdosta State University analyzed the stomach contents of over 200 Joro spiders and more than 140 native orb weavers across Georgia and South Carolina.
While Joro spiders do share some food sources with native spiders, they prey on 26 unique species that the native spiders do not eat, including insects like leafhoppers and aphids. The study suggests that Joro spiders do not directly compete with native orb weavers for food, as their diets remain largely unchanged in areas where Joros are present.
Additionally, Joro spiders rarely consume butterflies, although their broader ecological impact remains unclear. Despite their large size and distinctive webs, Joro spiders are generally docile and pose little threat to people or pets.
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