Dr. David Coyle on the Joro Spider (#254, 9 Oct. 2024)

Dr. David Coyle joins the RockneCast to discuss the joro spider, a venomous and invasive species that is currently spreading throughout the Southeastern United States. He is currently an Associate Professor of Entomology at Clemson University in the extension division. Dr. Coyle will discuss the spiders, how venomous it is, how it got here, how it "flies", and its anticipated reach in the United States. We also discussed a possible entomological enemy that might reduce the populations, but more research its needed to determine that answer. Dr. Coyle is at the cutting edge of this area of research. We'll also discussed his career path to becoming a PhD in Entomology along with his current research on the joro spider. Dr. Coyle and I played football for one year at Luther College and we also graduated in 1997 from Luther College. Loved doing this one!!