The Joro spider was compared to its close cousin, the gold silk spider, and scientists found that the Joro is able to withstand colder temperatures, opening up the opportunity for the species to spread beyond the southeast.
The Joro spider, known for its distinctive yellow and blue coloring and uncomfortably large size, could soon invade the entire East Coast, aIn September 2021, researchers found the invasive species, which first made its way to the United States in 2013, spinning its webs all over northeast Georgia, covering power lines, bushes and mailboxes, but after scientists observed the spiders and tested its physiology, they concluded the species could potentially survive outside of the southeastern...
The Joro — Trichonephila clavata — is part of a group of spiders known as orb weavers for their highly organized, wheel-shaped webs. Common in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan, Joro females have colorful yellow, blue and red markings on their bodies. They can measure three inches across when their legs are fully extended. In Georgia, a researcher identified one about 80 miles northeast of Atlanta in 2014.
It was also hypothesized that their ability to potentially take over the East Coast will likely be due to human transportation. In addition to being able to use silk sacks as methods of wind transportation, Joro spiders will likely hitch rides on cars, packages and even in your luggage .