NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A research team from the Oxford College of Emory University is studying the Joro spiders in North Georgia to understand their impact on the local ecosystem.
The team, led by Dr. Natalia Bayona, is investigating the presence of Joro spiders, which are native to the Far East and have been in North Georgia for over a decade.
The research aims to determine whether these spiders are disturbing the local ecosystem.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“Should we be afraid? It depends. Are you a spider enthusiast? If you are, don’t be afraid,” Dr. Natalia Bayona, a professor of biology at Emory University’s Oxford College, told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen.
The Joro spiders, identified by their yellow bodies with a big red spot, can grow as much as three or four inches from tip to tip. They have been in North Georgia for over a decade after being introduced in 2014.
RELATED STORIES:
- Joro Spider Spotting Contest: Submit your best photos of invasive species
- UGA research shows invasive species of spiders in Georgia may also be cannibals
- Joro spiders in GA found to have bacteria that makes them potentially sterile, new research shows
- People across North Georgia report thousands of sightings of giant ‘flying’ spiders
“I love them. I have a personal attachment to them because of this project. But if you have the ‘creepy-crawlies,’ you’re justified in doing the (makes bug spray noise) Yeah!” Eunice Kim, a college sophomore and part of the research team, said.
Since their arrival, the spiders’ population has exploded, with one female capable of laying 500 eggs.
Bayona is leading the research to determine if this invasive species is disturbing the local ecosystem.
For now, the team told Channel 2 Action News it is collecting DNA samples from the spiders they catch to further their study.
Eunice Kim, a sophomore at Emory Oxford College, is part of the research team and has developed a personal attachment to the spiders through her involvement in the project.
The research is expected to be published next spring.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
