Harmless
Guides
Araneus gemma
Gem-shaped Orbweaver, cat-faced spider, jeweled orbweaver spider
Araneus gemma is a common outdoor orb-weaver spider native to western North America. It is one of several species commonly called the "cat-faced spider" due to abdominal markings resembling feline features. The species is harmless to humans despite possessing venom containing argiotoxin, a neurotoxin that antagonizes glutamate. It constructs typical circular orb webs and is frequently encountered in residential areas during autumn when mature females become conspicuous.
Araneus pegnia
Butterfly Orbweaver
Araneus pegnia is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Butterfly Orbweaver due to the distinctive butterfly-shaped pattern on its abdomen. It is among the smaller members of the genus Araneus, with mature females reaching only 3.5–8.2 mm and males 2.5–5 mm. The species has an unusually broad geographic range, extending from the northeastern United States through the southeastern states, west to Arizona and California, and south through Middle America to Ecuador. It is also found on Caribbean islands including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Cuba.
Cerastipsocus venosus
Tree Cattle, Common Barklouse
Cerastipsocus venosus is a widespread barklouse species in the family Psocidae, commonly known as "Tree Cattle" due to the herding behavior of its nymphs. It occurs across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Both nymphs and adults aggregate on tree bark and foliage, where they feed on lichens and other organic matter. The species is harmless to plants and plays a role in nutrient cycling.
Eremobates ajoanus
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates ajoanus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma and Brookhart in 1988. Like other members of the order Solifugae, it is a nocturnal arachnid predator characterized by large, powerful chelicerae used to capture and subdue prey. The species is found in arid regions of North America, particularly in the southwestern United States and adjacent areas.
Leptotarsus testaceus
Leptotarsus testaceus is a large crane fly species in the family Tipulidae, distributed across the eastern United States from Maine south to Florida and Tennessee. The species was described by Loew in 1869 and is classified within the genus Leptotarsus, a group of crane flies characterized by elongated bodies and long, fragile legs typical of the family. As a member of Diptera, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages.
Megarhyssa nortoni
Norton's giant ichneumonid wasp, western giant ichneumonid wasp
Megarhyssa nortoni is a large ichneumonid wasp native to North America, with two recognized subspecies occupying western and eastern ranges. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor reaching 51–76 mm, used to parasitize horntail wasp larvae deep within wood. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans and do not sting. The species has been introduced to several countries as a biological control agent for forest pest horntails.
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni
Western Giant Ichneumonid Wasp
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni is a subspecies of giant ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor—among the longest of any insect—that they use to parasitize wood-boring horntail larvae deep within dead or dying hardwood trees. The species is native to western North America and has been introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans and cannot sting.
Megarhyssa nortoni quebecensis
Megarhyssa nortoni quebecensis is a subspecies of giant ichneumon wasp, among the largest members of family Ichneumonidae in North America. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor—often exceeding body length—that they use to parasitize woodboring larvae of the pigeon horntail (Tremex columba) deep within dead or decaying hardwood. The wasp is harmless to humans, lacking a functional stinger; the apparent "stinger" is actually the ovipositor apparatus. Males are smaller, lack the elongated ovipositor, and exhibit distinctive aggregation behaviors around potential emergence sites.
Micrathena gracilis
Spined Micrathena
Micrathena gracilis is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Spined Micrathena. Females possess distinctive abdominal spines and build moderately large, tightly coiled orb webs up to 30 cm in diameter. The species exhibits behavioral thermoregulation through web orientation, positioning webs to optimize solar exposure based on microhabitat conditions. It is harmless to humans and primarily inhabits wooded and brushy areas.
Mydas clavatus
Clubbed Mydas Fly
Mydas clavatus is a large, striking mydas fly native to temperate eastern North America. Adults are notable Batesian mimics of spider wasps, displaying bold behavior enabled by their wasp-like appearance. The species is distinguished by a prominent orange to red abdominal marking and clubbed antennae—a trait shared across the genus. Adults are active in mid-summer and have been documented visiting diverse flowering plants for nectar.
Batesian-mimicrywasp-mimicpollinatorwoodboring-predatorMydidaeDipteraeastern-North-Americamid-summernectar-feederscarab-beetle-predatorclubbed-antennaeorange-abdominal-markingspider-wasp-mimicharmlessconspicuousbold-behaviormock-stinging-displayheart-rot-habitatOsmoderma-predatorflowering-plant-visitorlarge-flyglabrate-bodytemperate-forestmeadowgarden-visitordeciduous-woodlandPhilodromus marxi
Metallic Crab Spider
Philodromus marxi is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, commonly known as the metallic crab spider. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: males have a smooth, metallic sheen while females are bristly and colored white and grey. It is found throughout the United States and is frequently encountered in human dwellings, including bathrooms and showers.
Tipula collaris
collared crane fly
Tipula collaris is a large crane fly species in the family Tipulidae, distributed across eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States. First described by Thomas Say in 1823, this species is characterized by its substantial body size relative to other crane flies. Adults are typically encountered during the warmer months. Like other members of the genus Tipula, the larvae develop in soil or decaying organic matter.
Trichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
invasive-speciesorb-weaverballooningurban-wildlifebiological-controlcold-tolerancestartle-responsecannibalismkleptoparasitismJapanese-folkloreNephilidaeTrichonephilaspider-silkrange-expansionphysiological-adaptationurban-ecologyagricultural-pest-predatoriNaturalistGeorgiaMarylandEast-AsiaUnited-Statesspider-bitevenomdocilenon-aggressiveweb-architectureegg-sacoverwinteringsexual-dimorphismmetabolic-rateheart-ratefreeze-toleranceroad-ecologyprey-capturecompetitionnative-spider-impactspublic-perceptionmedia-sensationalismmanagementpesticide-alternativesbroom-removalornamentalstructural-pestornithologycardinalweb-strengthtrophic-interactionsDNA-metabarcodingdiet-analysisspecies-distribution-modelphysiological-entomologybehavioral-ecologyarachnologyballooning-dispersalhuman-mediated-dispersalhitchhikercargo-stowawayport-of-entryclimate-changewarmingnorthward-expansionDMVHoward-CountyElkridgeIlchesterWest-Elkridgebeech-forestsecondary-forestsuburbanroadsidetelephone-polestreetlampforest-edgedisturbance-toleranceprey-detectionvibrational-noiseauditory-disturbancemotionlessfreezingshynessHannibal-Lecterstink-buglanternflyevolutionary-historyancient-associationecosystem-servicebiocontrolnatural-enemyinvasive-pestbrown-marmorated-stink-bugspotted-lanternflyHalyomorpha-halysLycorma-delicatulacompetitive-exclusiondominant-orb-weaverabundantpopulation-growthrapid-spreadrange-span120,000-km2physiological-plasticitymetabolismtwice-as-high77%-higher-heart-rate74%-freeze-survivaldevelopment-rateseasonal-windowlife-cycle-completionthermal-limitationcongener-comparisonnatural-dispersalhuman-transportiNaturalist-recordcitizen-scienceconfirmed-sightingbreeding-populationmale-and-femalegravid-femaleegg-casestowawaycargo-containerport-introductionlocal-portvehicle-transporthitchhikingaccelerated-arrivalseveral-yearsnatural-meansprognosticationpredictionmodelsuitable-habitatabundant-suitable-habitateastern-North-Americawestern-North-Americapotential-rangeinvasive-rangepotential-impactenvironmental-impactecological-impactecosystem-impactmonitorcautiousevidence-basedreasonable-journalismsensationalismexaggerationuncritical-acceptanceharmlesscarefully-monitorednext-stepsresearch-opportunitycall-for-researchknowledge-gaplittle-knownnovel-ecosystemspreadingrapidly-expandinginvasive-predatorinvasive-orb-weavernon-nativeintroducedestablishedcolonizedthrivingdoing-finehappymerely-20-minutes-awayroad-tripvisitaccess-spreadbeech-leaf-diseaseBLDstate-forestremarkable-colonyamongst-beech-treesconfirmed-prognosticationDavis-and-Frickescape-relative-warmthexpand-range-northwardeastern-seaboardmerely-20-minutes-away-from-homeresist-opportunityamazing-predatorstales-of-arrivalprevious-episodes20222024reduce-angstlarge-non-native-spiderestablishing-in-DMVfacts-presentedpast-episodevenomous-terrible-painfulNahexpert-Rick-Hoebekerisks-smallpuny-fangsunlikely-pierce-skinvideocompletely-non-aggressiveeastern-Howard-Countyhaphazard-webslittered-with-remainsformer-victimsleavesshed-exoskeletonsmuch-larger-femaledwarfs-matepositioned-just-abovestrand-of-silkspinneretsunderside-of-abdomennear-red-moundrelative-to-handlarge-and-docilewait-and-seewhat-Jorō-means-to-ecosystemshelp-other-spidersput-a-beat-down-on-invasive-pestsstink-bugsspotted-lanternfliespassive-huntersenormous-webslarger-than-a-meter-in-diametercapture-prey-snared-in-silkarachnophobes-scaryarachnophiles-beautifulimportant-ecosystem-servicescrop-pestsnative-rangeAsiahaving-an-old-friend-over-for-dinnerreunitefirst-timelarge-spidersjuicy-prey-itemsfeathered-and-non-feathered-reptilesposes-no-known-threatdifficult-to-predict-impactnon-native-speciesexperts-suggestbeyond-scary-miengive-indigenous-large-orb-weavers-run-for-their-moneyblack-and-yellow-garden-spidermarbled-orb-weaverspotted-orb-weaverother-parts-of-worldmost-abundant-and-dominant-orb-weaverwhat-will-it-meanonly-time-will-tellfinal-tidbitJorō-shapeshifterJorō-gumobeautiful-womanseduces-menbinds-with-silkdevoursbad-dateacknowledgementsRick-Hoebekeidentifying-JorōinsightsDavid-CoyleBob-Bellingergreat-imagesknowledgestudiesVeni-vidi-viciNelsen-et-al.Physiological-evaluationNephila-clavata-newly-recordedHoebeke-et-al.Life-Cycle-Habitat-and-VariationMooreStartle-responsesDavis-and-AneraoHow-Urban-Tolerant-Are-TheyDavis-et-al.inspirationdetailsstarsDave-ClementMiri-TalabacMaddie-Potterhooked-up-with-colonydifferentiateresources.ipmcenters.orglinkJorō-guruDavid-Coyle's-takeYouTubecalm-your-fearsJournal-of-Economic-EntomologyJournal-of-Medical-Entomologychemical-management-strategieseffective-management-methodsspider-control-productssafe-and-effectiveunlikely-to-bitegenerally-harmlessbig-spiderscolorful-spidersinvasive-spidersin-your-face-spiderswebs-on-homeslandscape-plantsstructuresmiddle-of-where-people-live-work-and-playnorthern-Georgia-2014presumed-arrived-few-years-prior15-yearsincreased-dramaticallymuch-of-Southeastdisjunct-populationsnortheastern-U.S.firestorm-of-interestrapidly-expanding-rangesoutheastern-statesmany-countiesCarolinasTennesseeOklahomamore-than-a-centuryparts-of-Floridararely-Pennsylvaniatropicsthermal-limitationshigher-metabolismfaster-heart-ratebetter-ability-to-tolerate-freezingcomplete-life-cycle-rapidlychilly-temperaturessuite-of-adaptationsexpand-northwardwarm-loving-cousinfindings-support-potentialmuch-yet-to-be-learnedsuccessfully-survive-northern-wintersnation-and-world-warmsouthern-species-expandhigher-latitudes-and-altitudesrapidly-range-expansion-will-occurtypical-mode-of-dispersalaerial-dispersalballooning-on-strands-of-silkCharlotte's-babiesCharlotte's-Webspectacular-monikerparachute-spiderrain-down-from-airplaneslong-distance-transithuman-assistancegood-hitchhikersinseminated-gravid-femaleegg-case-stowawayarrival-in-DMVseveral-years-by-natural-meansnew-introduction-at-local-porthuman-assist-in-vehiclesaccelerate-arrivalterrible-and-painfulsmall-fangsvisited-cousingolden-silk-spiderCosta-Ricaexceeding-meter-diameterindigenous-large-orb-weaversrun-for-their-moneyminimal-direct-impactfirestormAndrew-DavisBenjamin-FrickUniversity-of-Georgiapast-weeknative-to-eastern-AsiaJapanChinaKoreaTaiwanknown-in-Georgia-since-2013spreading-rapidlyjoined-its-cousinTrichonephila-clavipesestablished-over-160-yearsbetter-tolerate-freezingsurvive-northern-wintersrapidly-range-expansiontypical-modelong-distancenew-introductionhuman-assistarachnophobesarachnophilesbrown-marmorated-stink-bugsdifficult-to-predictscary-mienindigenous-orb-weaversMary-NouriSarah-MorganWAMUrelatively-harmlessspider-seasonfallleaves-changing-colorcool-crisp-autumn-airpumpkin-spiceextension-entomologistSoutheastnot-just-spiders20-feet-widehomespeople-live-work-and-play15-years-or-soinflux-of-callspublicentomology-extension-programsmedia-frenzytwo-questionsget-rid-of-Jorō-spidersare-Jorō-spiders-dangerousClemson-UniversitySouthern-Adventist-UniversityWashington-CollegeUnion-Collegetwo-new-studiestest-methods-for-eliminatinghow-likely-to-biteharmscoured-internetrecommended-treatment-optionsspider-specific-management-recommendationsmedically-relevantwidow-spidersbrown-reclusesdo-not-enter-homesrelatively-newrecommended-productslabelled-spider-control-productstested-productsseveral-products-eliminatenot-legal-pesticidesmachine-lubricantnot-recommendedcommercially-availablestrongly-encouragelabelled-productseasiest-and-cheapestwithout-chemicalsbroom-or-stickwalked-into-spider-webrode-biketook-spider-to-facenot-great-feelingwonder-if-biteygive-bitten-superpowersunique-studiesevaluated-behaviorsreact-to-peoplerather-drop-off-webhang-around-and-bitereally-provokevolunteered-to-get-bittenyes-you-read-correctlyakin-to-mosquito-bitelittle-rednesslittle-swellinglargely-gone-next-dayno-acquired-superpowerstake-home-messagetwofoldsimplest-and-most-effectivewithout-pesticidesfeel-you-need-pesticidesproduct-labeled-for-spider-controltry-not-to-freak-outdoesn't-want-to-be-on-youodds-of-getting-bitten-extremely-lowenjoy-glorious-fall-weatherdrink-pumpkin-spiced-beveragewatch-where-you-walkKeep-calm-and-carry-onbites-unlikelycause-minimal-discomfortassociate-professorDepartment-of-Forestry-and-Environmental-Conservationsocialsemailextensionfeaturedpest-managementEntomology-Todaylatest-postsemail-subscriptionMarch-2022wonderedmake-its-way-to-DMVSeptember-2022two-observationsthree-years40-sightingshappy-and-doing-just-fineseveral-Howard-County-locationsweek-or-so-agoteam-of-scientistsUniversitymissionkilling-ultra-valuable-beech-treesthriving-amongst-beech-treesvisit-amazing-predatorsmature-femalesboth-Trichonephila-speciesthree-locally-common-orb-weaving-speciestime-spent-immobilemild-disturbancebrief-puff-of-airair-puff-response-datafive-other-North-American-speciespublished-literature453-observationsfreezing-behavior10-spider-speciesremained-immobile-under-a-minuteboth-Trichonephila-spidersover-an-hourunprecedentedshyest-ever-documentedtolerate-urban-environmentsremaining-motionlessfleeingnonsexual-cannibalismmating-activityfemales-cannibalize-malesfood-availabilityterritorial-aggressionSoutheastern-United-Statesexpanding-rangeshybehavioral-reactionsdescriptive-observationsphoto-documentationanecdotal-observationscontrolled-pairingslabnatural-websfieldone-female-biting-and-killing-anothershort-fightsimilar-sizecontainer25-trialsfights-ensued-40%different-sizes27-trialsfights-happened-18%larger-females-not-always-aggressor52-lab-trialssix-bouts9%direct-killingfield-trialsempty-web14-trialsone-fight7%aggressor-killing-and-wrappingsilkaway-from-any-webnot-necessarily-territorialityintraspecific-aggressionprovoked-or-stresseddeserves-more-studynewly-invasivebiologyphysiologynew-rangeclosely-related-speciessuccessfully-established160-yearsinvestigationcompareonline-recordsiNaturalist.orgseasonal-distributionstimingfemalesphysiological-traitsenvironmental-tolerancemetabolic-ratescardiac-functioningcold-exposuresurvivalbrief-below-freezing-temperatureshorter-seasoncomplete-lifecyclenarrow-periodsuitable-weatherinherently-higher-metabolismlow-temperaturesurvive-better74%-compared-to-50%brief-freezecolder-climatic-regionsoutheastern-USAuseful-informationplanningurban-landscapesbusy-roadsfrequent-disturbancesauditory-and-vibrationalphysiological-or-behavioral-changesnortheast-Georgiavarying-levels-of-road-trafficprey-capture-behaviorsimulated-preytuning-fork128-hz-frequencytouched-to-webattacked357-total-trials20-different-roadsattacked-59%high-variabilitysome-roadsides-over-80%others-less-than-30%small-but-significant-negative-correlationdaily-road-trafficspider-attack-ratesmoderate--to-heavy-traffic-roadsslightly-less-likely-to-attack51%-vs-65%able-to-live-near-roadscost-in-terms-of-prey-capturedid-not-weigh-lesscompensate-for-disturbanceaccumulating-evidencehuman-dominated-landscapesaid-spreadintroduced-rangeEriostethus-rufuspolysphinctine-ectoparasitoidaraneid-spidersNeoscona-spp.endemic-to-JapanYamagata-Prefecture38º46'-Nnorthern-Japannorthernmost-recordgenusidentification-confirmedmorphologyDNA-barcodingcocoonlarge-modified-webuniqueinverted-triangleover-50-cmhanging-from-ill-defined-partno-organized-structurehost-spidercircumstantial-evidencesstructure-of-modified-webpre-existing-web-partly-reusedorb-web-completely-removedsustaining-threads-newly-mooredparasitises-host-spiderstwo-subfamiliesunusual-for-groupinvasion-potentialknown-invasive-rangereviewdispersal-abilitiespotential-impactsmanagement-strategiesOctober-2022at-least-120,000-km2South-CarolinaNorth-CarolinaAlabamaWest-Virginiapattern-of-spreadnatural-dispersal-mechanismshuman-mediated-transportlarge-bodied-orb-weaversflying-insectssmall-animalsthirteen-co-occurring-spider-speciesmonitored-for-competitionresourcesweb-building-sitesnatural-and-urban-habitatsmanagement-options-limitedadvise-journalists-and-expertsagainst-exaggerating-potential-environmental-impactecologically-harmlessrapid-spread-carefully-monitoredcautious-evidence-based-approachdetermining-next-stepsthree-material-typesweb-captureintroduced-speciesalter-established-trophic-interactionsmolecular-analysisresolve-changescommunity-structureforaging-linkseast-coastfecal-samplesprey-remains-from-websdissected-gutscompare-diet-compositionarthropod-targeted-COI-primersIllumina-MiSeqhighest-diversityhighest-richnesshighest-proportion-prey-readsrecovery-of-prey-readsdissected-gut-contentlowoverwhelmed-by-Jorō-spider-DNAhigh-proportions-Jorō-spider-readshigher-prey-diversity-and-richnessdetected-prey-DNAseveral-days-after-captureinitial-gut-retention-time-estimatesfirst-glimpsecomplexity-of-trophic-associationsintroduced-web-building-spiderviable-materialsource-of-prey-DNAestimates-of-biodiversityJammu-and-Kashmirnorthernmost-shiftingdocument-presencebehaviorhabitat-adaptationcolder-temperature-environmentGoha-TehsilDoda-district1556.74-metersroad-bridgenearby-vegetationbrightly-colored-abdomensblackgreenyellowredlong-legsyellow-and-black-bandingspredominantly-seensmallerfewerunique-behaviorsremaining-motionless-after-disturbances5-10-meters-of-roadsadaptation-to-human-settlementsfield-observationsimage-documentationexpert-confirmationthrive-in-colder-conditions15-20-degrees-CelsiusOctober-Novemberno-spider-foundhigher-elevationssignificantly-lower-temperaturesadaptation-limited-to-milder-cold-regionsnew-insightadaptationneed-for-further-researchnon-native-habitatseggsoverwinterharsh-weather-conditionsno-protectioncompact-silk-casemilky-coatingchorionic-microspheresCMfine-structural-characteristicsecological-importanceuneven-size-distributionouter-eggmassevenly-coveredsingle-layerdiameter-2.3-µmshort-papillary-projectionssegmental-adhesionmucous-componentsinsoluble-in-waterpartially-soluble-in-absolute-ethanolspherical-structureHFIPstrong-organic-solventnot-derived-from-vitellogenic-or-choriogenetic-processesCM-adhesive-coatingsovipositional-processequivalent-to-cocoon-silkprotective-functionssilken-eggcaseNorthern-CardinalCardinalis-cardinalisperchessteals-foodsoutheast-of-the-United-Statesquestionsnative-fauna-affectedconsuming-prey-itemsexamplenative-species-deriving-benefitmanner-of-kleptoparasitismperched-directly-on-websupported-its-weight42-48-gfirst-documented-casespider-web-supporting-perching-birdmeasurementsforce-gaugetypical-webssupport-masses-up-to-70-gsmall-but-growing-body-of-knowledgenon-native-spiderspecies-distribution-modelsecological-niche-modelingpredict-areasestablish-if-introducedthree-distinct-genetic-lineagesmitochondrial-COIgenome-wide-SNPsKorean-Peninsula