The tranquil days on the East Coast are about to be interrupted by an influx of unwanted, eight-legged visitors: the Joro spiders. More terrifying than their four-inch legs is their ability to fly. Here’s a heads up to arachnophobes, these critters are on course to settle in states like New York and New Jersey.
Introduction to the Joro Spider
Interestingly, Joro spiders are a study in contradiction. While their four-inch long, locomotive legs and ability to fly are enough to terrify anyone, their vibrant yellow and grey bodies are a sight to behold. However, the real consolation is that despite their venomous bite, they pose no risk to humans or household pets.
The Joro spiders have travelled far from their original habitats in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. They have been residents of North Georgia since 2010 but were only recognized as Joro spiders in 2014.
Joro Spiders: The Creeping Invasion
On the East Coast, the population of Joro spiders is expanding at a rate reminiscent of celebrity gossip. Findings from a 2020 study led by David Coyle, an entomologist at Clemson University, show that these spiders are setting firm roots in the US. According to him, the comfortable climate conditions make the eastern US an ideal breeding ground.
Ecologist José R. Ramírez-Garofalo from Rutgers University warns that New York could be the next forecasted settlement for these spiders. He anticipates that their arrival is not a matter of if, but a definite when.
Although Joro spiders do not pose a threat to humans, site their invasive tendencies, they aren’t ideal housemates. Coyle advises against using pesticides as it could potentially harm other beneficial creatures and incur additional costs. For those stumbling upon a Joro spider, the candid advice is to use a broom or stick to gently relocate them, seeing as they appear to have a fondness for structures.
