The invasive Joro spider, native to East Asia, has been spotted in Pennsylvania, causing a stir among local residents. Six of these large, brightly colored spiders were recently found in a yard in Warminster, Bucks County, according to NBC Philadelphia and Patch.com.
Joro spiders, or Trichonephila clavata, are black and yellow, and can grow up to four inches in size. They are known for their ability to travel through the air using a process called "ballooning," where they release silk threads to catch the wind and become airborne. Despite their size and venomous nature, Joro spiders are non-aggressive and pose no real threat to humans or pets. Their fangs are not large enough to pierce human skin, and they are more likely to flee than attack.
The spiders have been spreading north since they were first spotted in Georgia in 2014. They are expected to continue their spread, potentially reaching more East Coast states in the future. Despite their startling appearance, researchers suggest leaving the spiders alone as they do not pose a threat to agriculture or people. In fact, they may even be beneficial by preying on invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly.
If you happen to see a Joro spider and want to report it to researchers, you can visit www.jorowatch.org.