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Do you need to worry about Joro spiders?

Have you heard about the parachuting spider that is slowly spreading in the southern and southeastern United States? Joro spiders are a species of large, brightly colored orb-weaving spiders native to East Asia, but recently, they have been found in parts of the U.S. 

These spiders are newer to the U.S., so it’s understandable that people are curious about them, especially if you think these parachuting spiders may be coming to your area next. Before you encounter this spider, you might want to know, are Joro spiders dangerous and how do they compare to other species? To gain deeper insights into Joro spiders, we spoke with one of Ehrlich's Technical Directors and Associate-Certified Entomologists, Jeff Schmidt, who shared his expert knowledge on these fascinating arachnids.

What is a Joro spider?

The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) is originally from Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. It’s said that they were first introduced to the U.S. in 2013 or 2014 by catching a ride on a shipping container in East Asia that was then brought to Georgia. Schmidt explained that since their introduction, Joro spiders have been able to migrate quickly through much of the Central East coast using a skill called ballooning. This is when the spiders catch the wind from a high perch while simultaneously releasing a strand of silk to keep them aloft. This silk line also slows their descent to their point of landing. Depending on their starting perch height and prevailing winds, ballooning spiders can loft through the sky anywhere from a few yards to several miles. 

Some of the key characteristics of this parachuting spider include: 

  • Bright yellow body with blue and red markings.
  • Long legs with black and yellow stripes.
  • Female Joro spiders are particularly large, with a body length of about ¾” an inch to one inch and leg spans reaching up to three to four inches. Males are about a quarter of that size.
Joro Spider on web

Do Joro spiders bite?

These spiders can bite, but are Joro spiders dangerous? Schmidt stated that the short answer is no. Joro spiders, while menacing-looking with their emblazoned red, yellow, and black markings, are of no concern to human safety. The venom they create is intended to immobilize far smaller prey, and they are actually quite timid around larger animals.

Their bites are generally not harmful to humans. Like most spiders, they can bite if they feel threatened or provoked. Joro spiders are not aggressive and are more likely to flee than bite when disturbed. Joro spiders have fangs at the front of their head, connected to venom glands, which they use to bite and inject venom into their prey, usually insects and small arthropods. They also have pedipalps, small appendages near the mouth for handling prey, and mandibles, which help crush and hold the prey while feeding.

The Joro spider’s venom

Many people wonder if Joro spiders are dangerous compared to other spiders. Joro spider venom is used primarily to immobilize and pre-digest their prey. While the venom is effective against their prey, it is not harmful to humans or pets. A bite from a Joro spider may cause mild symptoms such as pain, redness, or swelling, but these effects are generally minor and short-lived. 

Joro Spider eating

The lasting impact of Joro spiders

Joro spiders pose minimal dangers to the environment and ecosystem. Their impact is generally limited, and they are not known to cause significant harm to the broader ecosystem. Their primary effect is more localized to changes in prey populations rather than large-scale environmental damage. 

Schmidt informed us that while there might now be a new beast on the block, Joro spiders are of no more concern than your average garden spider. In fact, they actually may benefit your family as they help control mosquitoes, small flies, and ants around the perimeter of your home.

Generally, these spiders are more scared of us than we are of them. Here are some tips to peacefully co-exist with Joro spiders: 

  • Regularly inspect: Check for and remove spider webs around doors, windows, and outdoor areas.
  • Maintain outdoor spaces: Trim vegetation and clear debris where spiders might hide.
  • Avoid handling: Do not attempt to handle or disturb Joro spiders; they are not aggressive but could bite if they feel threatened. 
  • Keep a clean area: Reduce clutter around your home to minimize potential nesting sites.

While pest control measures are not necessary for Joro spiders, there may be other spider species in or around your home that you’d like removed. Contact us today to schedule your pest control inspection!  

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