Golden-silk
Guides
Trichonephila
Banded Orbweavers, Golden Orb-weavers
Trichonephila is a genus of large orb-weaver spiders renowned for constructing massive, golden-hued webs. Females exhibit pronounced sexual size dimorphism, reaching 12–40 mm in body length while males remain much smaller. The genus was elevated from subgenus status in 2019 and now encompasses 13 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Several species, including the Jorō spider (T. clavata) and golden silk spider (T. clavipes), have become notable invaders in North America, with T. clavata demonstrating remarkable cold tolerance and rapid range expansion along the eastern United States.
Trichonephila clavipes
Golden Silk Orb-weaver, Golden Silk Spider, Golden Orb Weaver Spider, Banana Spider
Trichonephila clavipes, commonly known as the golden silk orb-weaver, is a large orb-weaving spider native to continental North and South America. Females are among the largest non-tarantula spiders in North America, measuring 24–40 mm in length, with distinctive yellow-brown coloration and long legs bearing black brush-like tufts of hair. The species is renowned for producing golden-colored silk—one of the strongest known biological materials—and constructing large asymmetrical orb webs up to 1–2 meters in diameter. Unlike its congener Trichonephila clavata (Jorō spider), T. clavipes has limited cold tolerance and remains largely confined to warmer southern regions of the United States despite being established there for over 160 years.