Arachnaphobes, look away — there's a giant invasive spider coming to the tri-state this summer.
Joro spiders are expected to start showing up in New Jersey and New York this summer, spreading up from the southeastern U.S., where they have been proliferating.
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The yellow arachnids are native to East Asia, but the creepy crawlers have been around in Georgia for about a decade. A recent peer-reviewed study conducted by David Coyle, a scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University, found that the species is "here to stay" in the U.S. as it spreads rapidly around the country.
“(The data from the study shows) that this spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern U.S.,” Coyle said. “It shows that their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America.
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Adding to nightmares, the spiders are light enough to travel through the air, making it even easier for them to spread.
But there is good news: Even though its size tends to freak people out, the species is relatively harmless to humans and pets. The spiders eat mosquitoes, yellowjackets, stink bugs and even spotted lanternflies.
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Joro spiders have a body of around an inch or so long, but their legs can span about four inches long — meaning they can measure up to the size of a human palm. The females are larger and brightly colored, whereas the males are brown and smaller.
Here's what to know about the Joro spider:
How did Joro spiders get to the U.S. to begin with?
Joro spiders, also known as "Trichonephila clavata," are native to East Asia. It's believed the species likely made its way to the U.S. via a shipping container.
Are Joro spiders orb-weavers?
Joro spiders are in the family of orb-weavers, which spin large, orb-shaped webs. They look similar to garden spiders and banana spiders.
Do Joro spiders fly?
The pattern in which Joro spiders have spread "suggests it is primarily driven by natural dispersal mechanisms, such as ballooning," according to the study. Ballooning is when spiders move through the air like a parachute by releasing "sail-like trails of silk that lift them up and off into the wind," per National Geographic.
The study said human-mediated transport can't be discounted, either, in regard to the spread of the species.
Are Joro spiders dangerous?
While Joro spiders may appear frightening to some, they are relatively harmless to people and pets, a University of Georgia study from earlier this year said. In fact, that study found that Joro spiders may be the shyest spider ever documented.
The spiders will only bite if they're cornered and even then their fangs likely wouldn't be large enough to pierce human skin, according to the University of Georgia study.
Another positive about the spiders: they don't want to go inside homes, according to Coyle. They will instead spin webs on the outside of houses or other structures. If a Joro spider needs to be moved, Coyle suggests using a broom or stick to place it elsewhere.
What do Joro spiders eat?
Joro spiders aren't exactly picky eaters. Coyle said they "don't seem to care what gets in their web."
"They're just as likely to eat brown marmorated stink bugs as they are to eat a Monarch butterfly," he added. "To say they’re more beneficial than another spider is just simply wrong — they’re a spider — and if something gets caught in their web, it’s going to get eaten. And they don’t care if it’s a rare native pollinator and there are only a few of them left in the world or if it’s a brown marmorated stink bug."
An interesting find from Coyle's study is that Joro spiders are displacing native species, along with having other negative impacts. But it's unclear exactly why other species are being negatively impacted by Joro spiders.
“These are not just benign spiders coming to catch and kill bad things; these are pushing out native species and catching and killing whatever happens to get in their webs,” Coyle said. “Are they bad or good? It’s very nuanced depending on your perspective.”
FAQs
The non-native arachnid caused a frenzy but scientists say not to worry. New York City and New Jersey might have a new resident this summer: A giant yellow and blue-black flying spider. The creepy crawler -- the Joro spider -- has stirred up a frenzy over a possible invasion in the tri-state area.
Are Joro spiders coming to New York? ›
The venomous Joro spider is headed northward, with New York City and parts of the Tri-State Area in its path.
What month do Joro spiders come out? ›
Color – Female spiders have deep blue and yellow bands on their legs, and the abdomen is an infusion of red, yellow, and black in asymmetrical patterns. Males are plainer as they only have a brown body. Sightings – Joro spiders are typically seen mostly during the fall months (September & October).
Where are the Joro spiders right now? ›
Where are Joro spiders in the US now? According to iNaturalist.org, Joro spiders reside mainly in Georgia but have migrated to neighboring states. They've been spotted in South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, and sightings have been reported in Oklahoma, West Virginia and Maryland.
Are Joro spiders in New Jersey? ›
According to the Inquirer, Joro Spiders travel slowly, and won't even reach the New Jersey region for another 35 years or so. Unless someone transports one into the state sooner, kind of like what happened with Spotted Lantern Fly's, the Joro Spider isn't something New Jersey has to worry about right now.
What is the new invasive spider in NY? ›
The non-native arachnid caused a frenzy but scientists say not to worry. New York City and New Jersey might have a new resident this summer: A giant yellow and blue-black flying spider. The creepy crawler -- the Joro spider -- has stirred up a frenzy over a possible invasion in the tri-state area.
What gets rid of Joro spiders? ›
'The most effective insecticides for Joro spiders are those containing bifenthrin, deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin, which will quickly kill the spider and its eggs and prevent further infestations,' says Scot Hodges, entomologist at Arrow Exterminators.
What happens if a Joro spider bites you? ›
Although they look like something out of a Tim Burton movie, these spiders rarely bite. Even if they did, their fangs are so small that they would have difficulty breaking human skin. Besides, on the rare occasion they do, the bite is less painful than a bee sting and doesn't need special treatment.
What animal kills Joro spiders? ›
Predators. Birds: Various bird species are known to prey on Joro spiders, taking advantage of the spiders' visibility due to their size and vibrant colors. Lizards: These reptiles can be predators of Joro spiders, likely consuming them when the opportunity arises.
Are Joro spiders aggressive? ›
Although large and potentially alarming in appearance, Joro spiders are not aggressive and pose minimal threat to humans and local ecosystems.
What eats the Joro spider? Joro spiders are typically food for birds and other predators that eat spiders and insects. Since these spiders are fairly new to the US, their role and impact on the ecosystem remains unclear.
What should you do if you spot a Joro spider? ›
“As long as you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone,” he said. And if you do decide to get rid of them in whatever way you see fit, keep in mind that it's likely a losing game. “Are you going to make any measurable impact on the populations? No.
How poisonous is a Joro spider? ›
Experts say the Joro spider does not pose a risk to humans or pets. “They have venom just like any other spider does,” says Davis. “But as long as you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.” Part of that has to do with the personality of the spider, which experts describe as fairly docile and shy.
Are giant venomous spiders coming to New York City? ›
It a worst nightmare for some: Giant venomous flying spiders making their way up the East Coast, and they are expected to arrive in New York and New Jersey this summer. The Joro spider has a leg span of up to four inches and can fly...well, sort of.
Are Joro spiders in New York? ›
Data compiled by the group Joro Watch shows that the main area where the spider has been documented so far is primarily in Georgia and South Carolina. Other states like Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, and even Oklahoma have reported them in lesser frequency. “It's not in New York.
Do Joro spiders go in houses? ›
Luckily for arachnophobes though, Joro spiders typically don't want to go inside homes — they're outdoor pests that usually opt to form webs in open spaces like parks, ball fields, or suburban properties, though they may also seek out wooded areas or the doorways to buildings, Sieb said.
Where is the Joro spider invading? ›
Since first appearing in about 2014, the Joro spider appears to have become established in north-central and northeast Georgia, with a presence in neighboring areas of Tennessee and South Carolina. They have been spotted between Forsyth, Ga., and Baltimore, with an anomalous sighting in Oklahoma in 2021.
Should Joro spiders be killed? ›
Thankfully the Joro spider isn't dangerous even though they may look intimidating. They are a natural pesticide as they catch other bugs in their webs and eat them. There are certain precautions you should take when trying to remove Joro spiders from your home.
What states are Joro spiders in? ›
Joro spiders have been confirmed in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. A singular incident was reported in Oklahoma after a person had traveled there from northern Georgia, according to Penn State. Cases have also been reported in West Virginia and Maryland, according to Clemson University.
Are Joro spiders good to have around? ›
No, you don't need to worry about joro spiders. They may even be helpful in some ways. "I think this is one of those 'canary in the coal mine' type species where it's showy, it's getting a lot of attention," said Hannah Burrack, professor and chair of the entomology department at Michigan State University.
