Increased-dramatically

Guides

• 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