Research-opportunity

Guides

• Photinus ignitus

  Ignited Firefly

  Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.

  fireflybioluminescencemate-choiceseasonal-plasticitynuptial-giftaggressive-mimicryLampyridaeColeopteraNorth-Americaflash-communicationlucibufaginsexual-selectionoperational-sex-ratiocold-lightphotocytesluciferinluciferasenocturnalcourtshippredation-defenseinsect-declinelight-pollutionhabitat-lossinsecticide-exposuresoil-dwelling-larvaeglowwormpredatory-larvaesoft-bodied-preysnailsslugswormssoil-insectsbiological-controlflash-patternfemale-choicemale-choicebody-sizelantern-sizereproductive-investmentegg-provisioningspermatophoreflash-signalmating-successselectivitybreeding-seasondusknightvegetationgrasslawnsforestsfieldsedgescanopyairspaceColumbia-MarylandWashington-Baltimore-areaUniversity-of-Virginia-studylight-pollution-impactmating-disruptionurbanizationresidual-insecticideslawn-treatmentweather-cyclesfood-availabilitylarval-predationpopulation-fluctuationbanner-yearspectacleJuly-4thIndependence-DayMother-Nature's-fireworkspyrotechnictwinklinggalaxycold-light-efficiencyno-heat-productionphotocyte-cellsspecialized-light-organterminal-abdominal-segmentslightly-coloredgiant-eyesflash-detectionvisual-acuitynocturnal-visionchemical-ecologydefensive-chemistrysteroidal-pyronestoad-toxinsspider-repellentbird-repellentfemme-fatalepredatory-exploitationchemical-acquisitiondefense-sequestrationnuptial-feedingreproductive-successsexual-conflictflash-manipulationphotographic-challengeflash-rechargefemale-contortionflash-directionalityaimed-signalmale-expendabilityfemale-investmentoffspring-productionbattery-lifeconservation-concernpopulation-monitoringcitizen-scienceBoston-Museum-of-Sciencefirefly-data-projectAllegheny-National-Forestsynchronous-firefliesPhotinus-carolinusPhoturis-pennsylvanicaPennsylvania-Firefly-FestivalFIRE-TeamLynn-FaustSara-LewisThomas-EisnerAerial-FirebaughKyle-Hayneschemical-ecology-pioneerexperimental-studyfield-observationnatural-historybehavioral-ecologyethologyjournal-articlepeer-reviewed-researchscientific-investigationinsect-conservationnocturnal-insectbeetlesoft-winged-beetlenot-true-bugnot-flyElateroideaPolyphagaElateriformiaLampyrinaeLucidotiniaccepted-nameFall-192736-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaBug-of-the-WeekEntomology-Todayincomplete-informationdata-limitedresearch-opportunityfurther-study-needed

• Trichonephila 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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