09/10/2026
Be ready to duck if you are looking at, or exploring, plots of land with woods. These Joro spiders, along with our native garden spiders, are everywhere this time of year. This article gives some interesting details about these little guys.
When Joro spiders first arrived stateside over a decade ago, scientists worried the massive black and yellow spiders would gorge themselves on the same bugs as native spiders. 🕷️
While Joros do eat some of the same insects as orb weavers, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers discovered the Joros preyed on 26 unique species that the native spiders didn’t touch. Native spider species had the same diet regardless of whether Joros were present in the area. This finding suggests that Joros aren’t necessarily making it more difficult for orb weavers to find their favorite snacks.
Learn more about the Joros' eating habits at the link below! 🔗