Golden silk orb spinners are large, scary-looking spiders that like to spin huge webs. If you live in Florida, you may have almost come face to face with some of these nets while gardening.
Fortunately, these spiders are mostly harmless. But what if they were poisonous and could fly (sort of)?
We have just described joro spiders, known as Trichoephila clavata, and they seem almost indistinguishable from golden silk spiders.
Joro spiders have been in the news recently because the invasive species is expected to invade areas in the northeastern United States this year. Should Floridians also be concerned about this species? This is what you should know.
What are joro spiders?
Joro spiders are scientifically known as Trichoephila clavata. They share the same genus as golden silk orb-weaving spiders and are often confused with each other.
Unlike golden silk orb weavers, which are often called banana spiders, joro spiders are native to East Asia and are often found in countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Researchers began to witness joro spiders spread across North America in the last decade.
Joro spiders are poisonous and large. Females grow to be larger than their male counterparts. Their bodies can grow up to 1 inch long and their legs can extend up to 4 inches.
However, his tall stature is mainly for show. While they look scary, joro spiders are quite shy. They won’t bite you unless they feel threatened. And even if they did, their fangs would not be able to penetrate human skin.
How are joro spiders different from golden silk orb weavers (banana spiders)?
Deciphering the visual comparisons between joro spiders and golden silk orb weavers is like trying to spot the differences between two very similar images. It’s difficult, but it can be done if you know what you’re looking for.
Size-wise, these spiders are similar, although the golden silk orb weavers have an advantage. Golden silk orb weavers can reach a body length of about 1.5 to 2 inches with legs reaching 5 inches or longer. In comparison, female joro spiders reach approximately 1.2 inches in body length and leg spans reach approximately 4 inches.
One of the clearest ways to spot the difference between the two spiders is to look at the joints of their legs. According to the University of Georgia, golden silk orb weavers have hairy tufts around their leg joints, while joro spiders do not.
Web location can be another indicator. Both species of spiders can build huge, beautiful webs, but golden silk orb weavers tend to place their webs higher off the ground, in areas where they are more likely to catch their prey.
Joro spiders tend to place their webs closer to the ground, usually between bushes and low branches. UGA also states that joro spider webs tend to look more chaotic, with an irregular silk mesh.
Why are joro spiders considered invasive?
On paper, joro spiders sound pretty good. They’re pretty to look at (from afar, for most of us), they’re not dangerous, and they love to eat mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs, and other critters that humans consider a nuisance.
However, the species is considered invasive due to competition with native wildlife. When a new species is introduced into an environment, the delicate balance of nature is disturbed. Suddenly, native species have more competition than before, and if the invasive species becomes better adapted to the environment, it could push out the native species.
In a 2023 Clemson University study on joro spiders, researchers noted that when you get joro spiders, you don’t get other spiders.
“These are not just benign spiders that come to catch and kill bad things; “They are driving out native species and trapping and killing anything that gets into their nets,” said David Coyle, assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. “Are they good or bad? It has many nuances depending on your perspective.”
Can joro spiders really fly?
No, at least not in the same way that birds or Superman can fly. These clever arachnids don’t parachute as some headlines might claim. Instead, they employ a technique called “ballooning.” The process involves expelling silks that carry the spiders for miles on the wind.
Are there joro spiders in Florida?
Florida residents don’t have to worry about joro spiders just yet. While some people have claimed to have seen joro spiders on the East Coast, scientists have not officially confirmed their presence. However, Clemson researchers believe it is only a matter of time before they inhabit most of the eastern US.
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