In the past few months, there has been much fear surrounding the Japanese joro spider.
There has also been much misconception.
South Carolina residents who are afraid of the creepy and crawly have been bracing themselves for the spider's arrival. Joros are native to Asia. What many residents may not know is that the spiders are already among us. Recent reports have tracked the golden silk spinners in several Southeastern states, including the Carolinas.
The majority of media headlines have revolved around the spider's "giant" appearance and "flying" abilities, making residents question what the joro spider is really like. If you are one of the curious, join us as we separate fact from fiction regarding the yellow and black orb weaver.
Can Joro spiders fly?
Joro spiders do not "fly." Instead, they disperse through the skies in a process called ballooning. This process occurs every spring and is not unique to the joro ― many other spiders do it, using ribbons of silk to lift off through the wind.
"The way these headlines are written, it makes it sound like they're the monkeys from 'The Wizard of Oz,'" David Coyle, assistant professor and invasive species expert at Clemson University, told National Geographic.
Residents will be truly relieved to know adult joros cannot fly. But they can grow up to 3 inches long. When hatchlings balloon, they are the mere size of a sesame seed. The process happens right before our eyes and oftentimes go unnoticed.
Are joro spiders dangerous to humans?
Although the majority of spider species contain venom, joro are non-toxic to humans. Per National Geographic, venomous spiders that are harmful to humans make up a small group in the U.S. including the black widow and brown recluse, two species found in the Southeast. There have been a few reported incidents of joro biting people, but the pain is similar to that of a bee sting or mosquito bite itch.
This may come as a surprise, but joro are the most frightened spider on record. A 2023 Anthropoda study found that when air is blown on a joro, it will freeze for over an hour before going back to what it is doing. Native spiders that faced the same trial resumed activities after about 96 seconds.
It just goes to show that joros are more afraid of you than you are of them. So if you happen to pass by one, be kind.
Are joro spiders invading the Southeast?
The joro was first confirmed in Georgia back in 2014, according to National Geographic. Recent studies have shown the spider is adapting well to an unexpected environment. Unlike most spiders, joros seem to be enjoying the city life, much like New York's friendly neighborhood Spiderman. In urban areas, they can be spotted at gas stations, spotlights, and other traffic jammed areas, said the Smithsonian. And speaking of Peter Parker, there have not been any confirmed joro sightings in New York. At least, not yet.
As the joro population increases, the arachnids will continue living and expanding in the Southeast, weaving their 10-foot webs up the East coast. Since the spiders pose no serious threat to humans (except for maybe a scare or two), residents of the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia, will just have to get used to coexisting with them. Sorry arachnophobes ― these long legged spideys are here to stay.
SC's top 5 largest (and harmless) spiders
∎ Dark Fishing Spider: 15 to 26 mm. Despite their size, they are harmless and rarely bite.
∎ Carolina Wolf Spider: About 2.5 cm. Often mistaken for brown recluses. Although these spiders prefer to run rather than fight back, they will bite if they have to, which can cause mild effects including swelling, itching, and localized pain.
∎ Joro Spider: 3-4 inches. Bites may cause redness and blistering except for those who have allergic reactions to it.
∎ American Nursery Web Spider: 9-15 mm. These spiders are not aggressive to humans, but females will bite to guard their egg sac. The bite may be large and painful but is not considered dangerous.
∎ Southern House Spider: Males are 8-12 mm and are slenderer than females, who are 12-18 mm in length and robust. These spiders are reluctant to bite humans.
To learn more about these spiders, read up on them here.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
