Research from Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) suggests that the Joro spider, an invasive species in Georgia, may carry a bacteria that could help control its growing population.
The study, recently published in PeerJ (Mitochondrial and Wolbachia phylogenetics of the introduced Jorō spider, Trichonephila clavata, in North America), was conducted by Dr. James Russell, professor of biology at GGC, Dr. Chris Brown, professor of biology at GGC, and GGC alumnus Nicholas Mierza (’23), in collaboration with researchers from Clemson University, and Southern Adventist College.
“Many arthropod species carry the Wolbachia bacteria, and we discovered the Joro spider is no exception,” Russell said. “The bacterium creates reproductive barriers. If an infected male mates with an uninfected female, she becomes sterilized. If both are infected, they can reproduce, and only females can pass the bacterium along.”
The research points to the potential of Wolbachia as a biological control tool.
“This particular Wolbachia effect could be used to manage populations beyond the Joro spider,” Russell said. “It could help control insects such as mosquitos, which spread diseases that affect humans. This approach offers a less harmful way to address pests that pose health risks.”
Joro spiders, first discovered in Georgia 11 years ago, have spread quickly because they have few natural predators and adapt easily to local environments. Their golden webs are often seen across the state in the fall, with females capable of laying up to 500 eggs at a time.
“This project was a great example of collaboration,” Russell added. “Our partners at other institutions helped us collect specimens, and our team extracted genetic material to better understand the spiders’ makeup.”