The latest species of spider found in the U.S. are huge, brightly colored and travel in a method described as "ballooning." And, according to new research, they're spreading out to new states around the country.
Researchers at Clemson University published a study on Joro spiders, coming to the conclusion that the species is spreading rapidly beyond the South Carolina area, and data shows they could inhabit most of the eastern U.S.
David Coyle, a scientist and professor at Clemson, had one major takeaway from the results of the study: "These things are here to stay."
The study assessed the Joro spider's native range and used 20 variable and advanced modeling techniques to quantify its habitability elsewhere.
“Those data show that this spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern U.S.,” Coyle said in a release from Clemson. “It shows that their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America.
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