The invasive Jorō spiders are spreading across the southeastern United States, with researchers at the University of Georgia studying their behavior. A recent study published in Physiological Entomology found that the spiders’ heart rate is the best indicator of stress levels. Despite being in highly stressful environments such as gas station pumps or busy roads, the Jorō spiders remain calm and do not panic and run away. This ability to stay still under stress makes them harder to identify when they make webs in cities, towns, buildings, and human dwellings.
The researchers also discovered a rare freezing response in the Jorō spiders, which helps them maintain composure better than other arachnids in similar stressful situations. An experiment involving restraining the spiders and measuring their heart rates showed that the Jorō spiders rarely struggled when physically restrained, unlike other closely related arachnids.
Jorō spiders were first sighted in Georgia in 2013 and 2014, and their population has since expanded to other states in the Southeast. They have been spotted in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and sightings have been reported in other states as well. Researchers are interested in understanding how far the species will spread and what impact it will have on local insects and wildlife. Despite their invasive nature, the Jorō spiders are a fascinating subject of study due to their unique behavior under stress.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com