Abstract

Trichonephila clavata L. Koch (Araneae: Araneidae), the Jorō spider, was first observed in Georgia in 2014. This large, colorful spider has received nationwide attention for its potential to disperse through the United States. Community scientists have the potential to contribute important information to spider conservation biologists, and public captivation with this spider might lead to more spider observations by community scientists. The objectives of this study were to determine whether (1) T. clavata was the dominant observed araneid spider, (2) the presence of T. clavata inspired more community scientists to post observations of spiders and other araneids, and (3) the observed araneid communities differed in states where T. clavata was present and absent. Although T. clavata was the most-observed araneid spider in Georgia according to iNaturalist observations, its presence did not lead to more spider and araneid iNaturalist observations in states with T. clavata than those without, but Argiope aurantia Lucas and Trichonephila clavipes L., the other two most-observed spiders, were observed more often in states with T. clavata. Araneid communities recorded to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility did not statistically differ in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee before and after its first observations in those states. Further observations by community scientists will only help professional scientists, and professional scientists are encouraged to communicate with community scientists about the importance of repeated submissions of observations of all spiders.