ATLANTA (AP) — A large spider native to East Asia that struck Georgia last year could spread to much of the East Coast, researchers say.
The golden web of the zoro spider took over yards across northern Georgia in 2021, upsetting some residents. The spider was also seen in South Carolina, and entomologists expected it to spread throughout the Southeast.
A new study suggests it may spread even further. Researchers from the University of Georgia said in a paper published last month that the zoro appears to be better adapted to colder temperatures than related species.
The study found that it nearly doubled its metabolism, had a 77% higher heart rate and could survive a brief freeze that killed its relatives.
The researchers also noted that zoros are found in much of Japan, which has a climate similar to that of the U.S.
"Just looking at it, it looks like Joros could probably survive on most of the eastern seaboard here, which is pretty grim," study co-author Andy Davis said in a statement.
Zoro - Trichonephila clavata - is part of a group of spiders known as orb weavers for their highly organized, wheel-shaped webs. Zoro females have colored yellow, blue and red markings on their bodies and can measure three inches (8 cm) when their legs are fully extended.
It is not clear exactly where the first zoro spider came from in the U.S. How and when did I come in or why were they so abundant in Georgia last year?
Their effect on native species and the environment is also unclear, although some researchers believe they are benign.