An invasive spider species from Asia has already made its home in the southeastern portion of the United States. But now, it’s predicted that they may make their way up to the Bay State. Whether you like it or not, there may be an invasive spider species in Massachusetts called the Joro spider. Let’s take a closer look at these fascinating arachnids.
The Joro spider is an invasive arachnid species that originated in Asia. It’s most prevalent in Taiwan, China, Korea, and Japan.
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They were first discovered in the southeastern region of the United States back in 2014, but now it seems like they are making some moves up north. You may start to see them in Massachusetts at some point in the near future.
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The female Joro spider, or Trichonephila clavata, is about the size of an adult human’s palm. It also has a striking yellow color, so between the size and color, it’s quite noticeable! The male Joro spiders are much smaller.
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The good news about these spiders is that they are completely harmless! So, if you happen to see one, rest assured they won’t bite you.
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While they are venomous, the Joro spider’s fangs are much too small to bite through human skin. And while they are large, their coloring makes them somewhat beautiful.
Jon Cox/Flickr
So what does a Joro spider eat? Well, you may be surprised to find out that they eat only other bugs including other spiders, flies, mosquitoes, and cicadas. On the flip side, some birds and animals may eat Joro spiders, although they do not seem to have a specific predator.
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Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Jon Cox/Flickr
Neil Dalphin/Flickr
Will you be on the lookout for this invasive spider species in Massachusetts? Let us know if you’ve ever seen one!
If you enjoy the great outdoors, take one of these bucket-list hikes in Massachusetts.
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