LISTEN: University of Georgia student researchers study Joro spiders in a lab environment to study aggressive behaviors. GPB's Chase McGee reports.

Two Joro spiders in a large container.

Two Joro spiders enclosed in a plastic container. The laboratory trial pitted both equal-sized and mismatched female Joros against each other.

Credit: University of Georgia

For the better part of the past decade, people in Georgia have reported seeing yellow-striped Joro spiders perched on webs. A new study from the University of Georgia finds some of the normally peaceful spider can be aggressive.

Originally from Asia, Joro spiders aren’t native to Georgia, and they’re usually unmoving, docile creatures.

Two Joro spiders entangled.

Two female Joro spiders are seen locked in conflict during a University of Georgia study.

Credit: University of Georgia

Andy Davis is a research scientist at the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology. He says his team of student researchers recently learned that some Joros turn hostile in stressful situations.

“And they happen to release two spiders side by side," Davis said. "And sure enough, they started fighting each other.”

Dr. Davis notes the behavior is an unusual case of cannibalism outside of mating, and so far, it’s only been observed between female Joro spiders.

He says it’s worth studying as we learn more about these invasive spiders in our native ecosystems.

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