Aerial-dispersal
Guides
Erigone atra
Post Dwarf Weaver
Erigone atra is a small sheet-weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Post Dwarf Weaver. It is one of the most abundant species in its genus, with a holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is notable for its extensive use of aerial dispersal via ballooning, which enables colonization of agricultural habitats including cereal fields and grasslands. E. atra is recognized as an important biological control agent in agroecosystems, where it preys on crop pests such as aphids.
Geolycosa patellonigra
Geolycosa patellonigra is a burrowing wolf spider species in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. It is found in the United States, with records from Florida and potentially other southeastern states. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and exhibits notable ballooning behavior—spiderling aerial dispersal via silk threads—at frequencies higher than typical for wolf spiders. The species shows geographical variation in its seasonal distribution patterns.
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
ArachnidaAraneaeLinyphiidaedwarf-spiderArcticborealHolarctictundramontanepredatorcold-adaptedground-dwellinghigh-latitudehigh-altitudeSaaristoMarusikChyzerKulczyński18942004-revisiongenitalic-charactersepigynumembolusconductorpalaearcticnearcticEurasiaNorth-AmericaScandinaviaSiberiaAlaskaCanadaGreenlandKazakhstanMongoliaChinaKurile-IslandsFinlandSwedenNorwayGermanySwitzerlandItalySlovakiaBulgariaCentral-Europetype-species:-Oreoneta-frigidathirty-species30-speciessmall-spidersheet-web-weavermoney-spiderLinyphiinaeErigoninaemicrohabitatlitter-dwellingcrypticunderstudiedtaxonomic-revisionmorphological-taxonomylight-microscopyspecies-descriptionbiogeographyglacial-refugiapost-glacial-colonizationendemicregional-endemicalpine-endemicArctic-endemicboreal-foresttaigarocky-habitatmeadowwetlandstream-marginsnowbedfellfieldheathmosslichenvegetationsoil-surfacestonerockboulderscreetalusdebrishumusorganic-layerpermafrostpolarsubpolarcold-stenothermstenothermstenotopichabitat-specialistconservationraredata-deficientIUCNred-listnatural-historysystematicsphylogenymolecular-systematicsDNA-barcodingCOIcytochrome-oxidase28S18SITSmorphologytaxonomyalpha-taxonomyrevisionmonographfaunisticschorologyzoogeographydispersalvicariancespeciationcryptic-speciesspecies-complexspecies-groupspecies-aggregatesubspeciesinfraspecificvariationpolymorphismsexual-dimorphismmalefemalejuvenileinstarecdysismoltingdevelopmentgrowthreproductionmatingcourtshipsperm-transferspermatophorepedipalppalpal-organcopulatory-organgenitaliaepigynevulvaspermathecafertilization-ductcopulatory-ductatriumscapemacerationdissectionmicroscopestereomicroscopecompound-microscopeillustrationdrawingphotographySEMscanning-electron-microscopyhabitusdorsalventrallateralprosomaopisthosomaabdomencephalothoraxcarapacesternumchelicerafanglegtarsusmetatarsustibiapatellafemurcoxatrochanterspinneretcolulustracheal-spiraclebook-lungcuticlesetahairspinemacrosetasensillumchaetotaxyeyeoculusocellianterior-median-eyeposterior-median-eyeanterior-lateral-eyeposterior-lateral-eyeeye-tubercleclypeusfoveapedicelwaistconstrictioncolorpatternpigmentationmelanismalbinismsizemeasurementtotal-lengthcarapace-lengthcarapace-widthabdomen-lengthleg-lengthleg-formulaindexratioproportionallometryontogenysubadultadultmaturitysexual-maturityreproductive-maturitylongevitylife-spangeneration-timevoltinismunivoltinesemivoltinebiennialperennialoverwinteringdiapausequiescencecold-hardinessfreeze-tolerancefreeze-avoidancesupercoolingcryoprotectantglycerolsorbitoltrehalosethermal-biologythermoregulationbehavioral-thermoregulationpostural-thermoregulationactivitydiurnalnocturnalcrepuscularmatutinalvespertinecircadianrhythmseasonalphenologycalendardatemonthactivity-periodbreeding-seasonovipositioneggegg-saccocoonsilkwebsheet-webtangle-webspace-webplatform-webdome-webbowl-webfunnelretreatsignal-linedraglineattachment-discampullate-glandcylindriform-glandaciniform-glandaggregate-glandflagelliform-glandtubuliform-glandpiriform-glandmajor-ampullateminor-ampullatesilk-proteinspidroinfibroinsericingluevisciddrycapture-silkdragline-silksafety-lineanchor-lineframe-lineradial-linespiral-linesticky-spiralnon-sticky-spiralhubperimetersubstratenicheguildfunctional-grouptrophic-levelcarnivorezoophagearthropodivoreinsectivorepreycaptureattacksubdueimmobilizekillfeeddigestextraoral-digestionsucking-stomachgutmidguthindgutMalpighian-tubuleexcretionosmoregulationmetabolismrespirationtracheaspiraclegas-exchangecirculationhemolymphheartaortasinusnervous-systembrainganglionnervesensory-organmechanoreceptorchemoreceptorthermoreceptorhygroreceptorphotoreceptorproprioceptortrichobothriumtarsal-organslit-sensillumlyriform-organpedipalp-organHaller's-organcontact-chemoreceptorgustatoryolfactorypheromonesemiochemicalkairomoneallomonesynomonecommunicationsignalvibrationseismicairbornevisualchemicaltactilecopulationinseminationspermspermatozoonmedian-apophysisterminal-apophysisparacymbiumcymbiumbulbustegulumsubtegulumradixlamellaprocessapophysisflangehookcoilspiralductreservoirscleriteplatefieldfossapocketreceptaculumspermathecaeglandinsemination-ductuterusuterus-externusuterus-internusvaginagonoporeovipositorovaryoviductfolliclevitellogenesisoogenesisspermatogenesistestisvas-deferensejaculatory-ductseminal-vesiclefecundityfertilityclutch-sizeegg-numberhatchingemergenceballooningaerial-dispersalsilk-draglinegossamermigrationmovementwalkingrunningjumpingclimbingburrowinghidingrefugeshelterdefensepredationpredator-avoidanceantipredatorcrypsiscamouflagemimicryaposematismdeimaticthanatosisautotomyleg-lossregenerationinjurywoundhealingimmune-responsehemocytemelanizationencapsulationnoduleparasiteparasitoidpathogenfungusbacteriumvirusnematodemitegroomingcleaninghygieneself-maintenancesilk-useweb-useprey-captureforaginghuntingambushsit-and-waitactive-huntingsearchingprobingtestingexplorationlearningmemorycognitionbehaviorethologyecologypopulationcommunityecosystembiomebiospherehabitatenvironmentabioticbioticfactortemperaturehumiditymoisturepreci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clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
invasive-speciesorb-weaverballooningurban-wildlifebiological-controlcold-tolerancestartle-responsecannibalismkleptoparasitismJapanese-folkloreNephilidaeTrichonephilaspider-silkrange-expansionphysiological-adaptationurban-ecologyagricultural-pest-predatoriNaturalistGeorgiaMarylandEast-AsiaUnited-Statesspider-bitevenomdocilenon-aggressiveweb-architectureegg-sacoverwinteringsexual-dimorphismmetabolic-rateheart-ratefreeze-toleranceroad-ecologyprey-capturecompetitionnative-spider-impactspublic-perceptionmedia-sensationalismmanagementpesticide-alternativesbroom-removalornamentalstructural-pestornithologycardinalweb-strengthtrophic-interactionsDNA-metabarcodingdiet-analysisspecies-distribution-modelphysiological-entomologybehavioral-ecologyarachnologyballooning-dispersalhuman-mediated-dispersalhitchhikercargo-stowawayport-of-entryclimate-changewarmingnorthward-expansionDMVHoward-CountyElkridgeIlchesterWest-Elkridgebeech-forestsecondary-forestsuburbanroadsidetelephone-polestreetlampforest-edgedisturbance-toleranceprey-detectionvibrational-noiseauditory-disturbancemotionlessfreezingshynessHannibal-Lecterstink-buglanternflyevolutionary-historyancient-associationecosystem-servicebiocontrolnatural-enemyinvasive-pestbrown-marmorated-stink-bugspotted-lanternflyHalyomorpha-halysLycorma-delicatulacompetitive-exclusiondominant-orb-weaverabundantpopulation-growthrapid-spreadrange-span120,000-km2physiological-plasticitymetabolismtwice-as-high77%-higher-heart-rate74%-freeze-survivaldevelopment-rateseasonal-windowlife-cycle-completionthermal-limitationcongener-comparisonnatural-dispersalhuman-transportiNaturalist-recordcitizen-scienceconfirmed-sightingbreeding-populationmale-and-femalegravid-femaleegg-casestowawaycargo-containerport-introductionlocal-portvehicle-transporthitchhikingaccelerated-arrivalseveral-yearsnatural-meansprognosticationpredictionmodelsuitable-habitatabundant-suitable-habitateastern-North-Americawestern-North-Americapotential-rangeinvasive-rangepotential-impactenvironmental-impactecological-impactecosystem-impactmonitorcautiousevidence-basedreasonable-journalismsensationalismexaggerationuncritical-acceptanceharmlesscarefully-monitorednext-stepsresearch-opportunitycall-for-researchknowledge-gaplittle-knownnovel-ecosystemspreadingrapidly-expandinginvasive-predatorinvasive-orb-weavernon-nativeintroducedestablishedcolonizedthrivingdoing-finehappymerely-20-minutes-awayroad-tripvisitaccess-spreadbeech-leaf-diseaseBLDstate-forestremarkable-colonyamongst-beech-treesconfirmed-prognosticationDavis-and-Frickescape-relative-warmthexpand-range-northwardeastern-seaboardmerely-20-minutes-away-from-homeresist-opportunityamazing-predatorstales-of-arrivalprevious-episodes20222024reduce-angstlarge-non-native-spiderestablishing-in-DMVfacts-presentedpast-episodevenomous-terrible-painfulNahexpert-Rick-Hoebekerisks-smallpuny-fangsunlikely-pierce-skinvideocompletely-non-aggressiveeastern-Howard-Countyhaphazard-webslittered-with-remainsformer-victimsleavesshed-exoskeletonsmuch-larger-femaledwarfs-matepositioned-just-abovestrand-of-silkspinneretsunderside-of-abdomennear-red-moundrelative-to-handlarge-and-docilewait-and-seewhat-Jorō-means-to-ecosystemshelp-other-spidersput-a-beat-down-on-invasive-pestsstink-bugsspotted-lanternfliespassive-huntersenormous-webslarger-than-a-meter-in-diametercapture-prey-snared-in-silkarachnophobes-scaryarachnophiles-beautifulimportant-ecosystem-servicescrop-pestsnative-rangeAsiahaving-an-old-friend-over-for-dinnerreunitefirst-timelarge-spidersjuicy-prey-itemsfeathered-and-non-feathered-reptilesposes-no-known-threatdifficult-to-predict-impactnon-native-speciesexperts-suggestbeyond-scary-miengive-indigenous-large-orb-weavers-run-for-their-moneyblack-and-yellow-garden-spidermarbled-orb-weaverspotted-orb-weaverother-parts-of-worldmost-abundant-and-dominant-orb-weaverwhat-will-it-meanonly-time-will-tellfinal-tidbitJorō-shapeshifterJorō-gumobeautiful-womanseduces-menbinds-with-silkdevoursbad-dateacknowledgementsRick-Hoebekeidentifying-JorōinsightsDavid-CoyleBob-Bellingergreat-imagesknowledgestudiesVeni-vidi-viciNelsen-et-al.Physiological-evaluationNephila-clavata-newly-recordedHoebeke-et-al.Life-Cycle-Habitat-and-VariationMooreStartle-responsesDavis-and-AneraoHow-Urban-Tolerant-Are-TheyDavis-et-al.inspirationdetailsstarsDave-ClementMiri-TalabacMaddie-Potterhooked-up-with-colonydifferentiateresources.ipmcenters.orglinkJorō-guruDavid-Coyle's-takeYouTubecalm-your-fearsJournal-of-Economic-EntomologyJournal-of-Medical-Entomologychemical-management-strategieseffective-management-methodsspider-control-productssafe-and-effectiveunlikely-to-bitegenerally-harmlessbig-spiderscolorful-spidersinvasive-spidersin-your-face-spiderswebs-on-homeslandscape-plantsstructuresmiddle-of-where-people-live-work-and-playnorthern-Georgia-2014presumed-arrived-few-years-prior15-yearsincreased-dramaticallymuch-of-Southeastdisjunct-populationsnortheastern-U.S.firestorm-of-interestrapidly-expanding-rangesoutheastern-statesmany-countiesCarol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lateralis
Lateral-lined Water Beetle
Tropisternus lateralis is a hydrophilid water beetle with a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from Canada through the United States, Mexico, and South America to the Caribbean. Studies of subspecies T. lateralis nimbatus in Texas playas documented colonization from surrounding aquatic habitats during flood periods, drought avoidance through aerial dispersal, and secondary production of 1.31 g/m²/0.25 year. Males of the related subspecies T. lateralis limbalis produce species-specific stridulatory sounds used in male-male interactions and possibly mate attraction.
Tropisternus lateralis nimbatus
Tropisternus lateralis nimbatus is a subspecies of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It colonizes temporary playa wetlands on the Southern High Plains of Texas during flood periods, arriving from surrounding aquatic habitats via aerial dispersal. The subspecies has been documented across a broad geographic range including North, Central, and South America, as well as Caribbean islands.