A giant, yellow, venomous flying spider with 4-inch legs sounds like a creature out of a nightmare, but they're already infiltrating some parts of the Eastern U.S.
New Jersey Pest Control, the pest control company that seems to have triggered all the chatter on the Joro Spider, says the invasive insect grabbing many people's attention, may invade the New York metro area sometime this year.
The spiders originated in Japan and have already taken over the Southeastern U.S., according to David Coyle, assistant professor of Forest Health and Invasive Species at Clemson University.
“I walked the edge of the woods — and they were everywhere,” Coyle said in an article for Clemson University. “I have a 94-yard perimeter and found 50 Joro spiders on the perimeter. So, basically, every two yards there was a spider. This was in the morning and all the webs had dew on them, so you could easily see them, and there were just dozens of them on the power lines across the road.”
How did Joro spiders get to the US?
The insects were first seen in the U.S. in both rural and urban areas of Georgia in 2014 and have migrated up the coast in significant populations to the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Maryland. They've even been seen as far as Oklahoma and West Virginia.
Scientists still don't know how the spiders got here, but New Jersey Pest Control says it's likely they were brought to the U.S. by unintentional transport through cargo ships, international trade and personal travel.
What do Joro spiders look like?
The Joro spider is "hard to miss" because of its odd appearance and behavior. They have a vibrant yellow with black markings and a secret talent.
They can fly.
Joro spiders "fly" using a technique called ballooning. The spider releases silk threads into the air, which allow them to be carried by the wind.
The Joro spider's master reproductive skills and its ability to adapt to various environments have led to their current domination over the Southeast U.S. New Jersey Pest Control says the spiders may be able to inhabit most of the Eastern U.S. coast, including New York and New Jersey, by later this year.
Are Joro spiders harmful?
In their native Japan, Joro spiders act as "natural pest controllers." However, it is still unclear which pests they will control in the U.S., potentially threatening the balance of some ecosystems.
"The Joro spider’s predatory nature may decrease native insect populations, affecting the food web and potentially causing a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem," New Jersey Pest Control said.
Luckily, humans don't have to worry about getting eaten alive by these creepy crawlers. Their venom is not poisonous to humans, according to Pest Control. The main risk of a Joro spider bite is slight discomfort, a possible allergic reaction and a potential lifelong fear of big bugs.
They also tend not to enter homes, but will most likely make their webs outside of a building or other structure.
Do Joro spiders eat spotted lanternflies?
Maybe.
According to a New York Times report from late last year, spotted lanternfly is part of the Joro spider's diet.
That invasive species has become a regular visitor to the Lower Hudson Valley over the past few years, prompting Westchester County to purchase 10 vacuums to suck them out of spots they could harm.
More effective - creepy spider with long legs or vacuum cleaner? Time will tell.
How to get rid of Joro spiders
Coyle said any standard control method of pest removal should work, but treatments like pesticides may unnecessarily cause harm to other living things in the area.
"I just tell people to take a stick or broom and remove them,” Coyle said.
New Jersey Pest Control said communities must adapt to the inevitable arrival of these creatures and should not panic when encountering one.
"In the face of the unprecedented Joro spider invasion, communities must unite, educate, and adapt," it said. "The delicate balance of ecosystems requires a nuanced understanding of these arachnids, emphasizing coexistence and responsible management."
Researchers are already working to find a way to manage these pests, but New Jersey Pest Control advises anyone who sees these insects on their property to call their local pest control to exterminate or remove them, as well as to inform researchers of where they may be spreading.
