Joro spiders are spreading across the United States, and according to new reports, they have now been spotted in California. These spiders can grow as large as the palm of a human hand and are even capable of sailing through the air.
The species, scientifically known as Trichonephila clavata, is native to Asia. Researchers believe the spiders likely arrived in the U.S. inside shipping containers from China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Male Joro spiders have brown bodies and measure about 0.25 inches, while females are around 1.25 inches and typically yellow in color. Female Joro spiders can also spin webs that stretch several meters in length.
The Joro spider was first seen in the United States back in 2014, in the state of Georgia. They are now especially common in the Appalachian mountain region and parts of the South. In response to growing public interest, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources have launched a website to track Joro spider sightings.
These spiders are known to spread through a process called “ballooning,” in which they release silk that catches the wind and carries them through the air, creating a false impression that they can fly. Despite their large size and unusual abilities, wildlife experts say Joro spiders are not dangerous to humans.
