Joro spider

Scientists say that the Joro spider is spreading across the southeastern U.S. and could move into much of the East Coast.

"Humans are at the root of their invasion. "These findings suggest the Joro spider can exist in a colder climatic region than the southeastern USA, which can be useful information for management or planning purposes." Don’t blame the Joro spider." Experts say that Joros are not a threat to humans or pets and won’t bite them unless they are feeling very threatened. "Results show the Joro spider has a shorter season than its cousin, indicating it can complete its lifecycle within a narrow period of suitable weather. It has an inherently higher metabolism (twice as high), and has a 77% higher heart rate when exposed to low temperature.

First spotted in the United States in Georgia in 2013, the Joro spider has taken over the southeast, and a new study says they could soon go up north.

The size of the spider may frighten people, but experts say they shouldn't worry. Davis also noted humans play a factor in how far the species could spread, as they can hitch rides on vehicles and in containers. The scientists collected the two species and measured numerous physical traits as well as how they adapted to different environmental conditions, including brief periods of temperatures below freezing. Scientists came to their conclusion by comparing the Joro spider to its relative, the golden silk spider. “People should try to learn to live with them," Andy Davis, research scientist at Georgia's Odum School of Ecology and co-author of the study, said in a statement. The predominately yellow spider, which can get as big as the palm of your hand, was first spotted in Georgia in 2013.

Characterized by golden webs and vibrant brightly colored markings, the Joro spider is unmistakable.

Based on new research showing that the palm-sized arachnid can survive in colder temperatures, researchers expect them to arrive in the D.C. area by summer.

"As the spiders become more common, the most important thing to do is to understand that there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop them," he said. How will they get to the DMV? Human transport. The spiders, which are common in Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan, prefer disrupted urban areas such as buildings close to parks, fields, or wooded areas.

The joro spider, native to Japan, is spreading throughout the southeastern United States, though it isn't dangerous or aggressive to humans.

“The potential for these spiders to be spread through people’s movements is very high,” Frick said in a statement. “The species simply needs to have a 3-4 month window of time in the summer and fall to carry out its life cycle, and then lay eggs before dying. Their abdomen is about the size of a grape, he said. The joro spider first arrived in the US around 2013, most likely as stowaways on shipping containers. “Even if it wanted to bite you it probably couldn’t!” They’re also capable of hitching rides with humans on cars or in luggage.

Millions of palm-sized flying spiders, a species known as Trichonephila clavata or Joro spiders, could take over the East Coast, a new study shows.

“Humans are at the root of their invasion. “The potential for these spiders to be spread through people‘s movements is very high,” co-author Benjamin Frick, an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia said in the statement. The arachnid is not strong enough to bite through the skin of humans, cats or dogs, posing no threat unless they’re allergic.

The authors say the arachnids are harmless to people and pets and may even eat pests like stink bugs.

Don’t blame the Joro spider.” The spiders also have a shorter season, meaning they can complete their life cycle within a narrower period. They also looked at data collected on iNaturalist, a citizen science website and app that collects data on the location, species and time of a wildlife sighting. But I can say that it’s not harmful to people or pets.” Last year in Georgia, the non-native Joro spider population exploded. Then, the researchers measured traits like metabolic rates, heart rate and survival during below-freezing temperatures to help predict female spiders’ tolerance to cold.

The joro spider, an invasive and venomous species native to East Asia, could spread throughout the East Coast, scientists warn.

Joro spiders will likely survive on the east coast because Japan has a similar climate and is located approximately on the same latitude.

The chances of a Joro spider climbing into a car or into luggage is quite high but researchers stress that there is no reason to panic. “Humans are at the root of their invasion. Unlike the golden silk spider, which has been unable to spread north due to its inability to withstand cold temperatures, the Joro has a 77% higher heart rate and can thus survive freezes that kill off its cousins.