Joro spiders spotted in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia

Just in time for the spooky Halloween season, balloon-shaped Joro spiders have made their way to Pennsylvania.

Six of the giant, colorful arachnids, first spotted in Georgia nearly a decade ago, were spotted in Bucks County in Philadelphia on Sept. 5, according to Joro Watch, an interactive monitoring program run by the University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is 43 miles from Philadelphia.

After the sighting was reported, a local entomologist confirmed it by visiting the site, reported Bucks County Courier Times, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. The sighting has since been verified and confirmed by a researcher and EDDMapS data coordinator at the University of Georgia.

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What are Joro spiders?

The Joro spider is an invasive species native to East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. It is believed to have first arrived in the United States in the early 2010s. This species is also known as Trichonephila clavata.

At about 7.5 to 10 cm long, female Joro spiders are larger than males. They are mainly yellow with dark blue stripes and a reddish abdomen. Males are smaller and thinner – just over half a centimeter – and brown with dark gray/black and yellow stripes.

They prefer the warmth of the sun and are not house spiders. The species belongs to a group of large spiders known as golden orb-web spiders, which create “giant, multi-layered webs of gold-colored silk,” according to the University of Georgia.

They can move in a “balloon-like” manner or let the wind carry their webs to a new destination. For this reason, they are also called “flying” spiders. Joro spiders can build large webs that can be up to 3 meters wide.

Where have Joro spiders been seen in the United States?

According to a study on Joro spiders published by researchers at Clemson University, the Joro spider's range in the United States in 2022 is approximately 120,000 kilometers, spanning Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition, the spider has also been reported in Alabama, Maryland, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.

The study also found that the species is rapidly spreading beyond the South Carolina area, and data indicate it may live in most of the eastern United States.

David Coyle, a scientist and professor at Clemson University, drew an important conclusion from the study's results: “These things are here to stay.”

Coyle added that the study showed that “its habitat in nature matches very well with much of North America and that the data showed that this spider will be able to inhabit most of the eastern United States.”

Are Joro spiders dangerous?

Although the size of Joro spiders can be intimidating, they are rather shy and pose no threat to humans, dogs or cats. They are venomous but will not bite humans or pets unless cornered, and their fangs will not penetrate human skin.

University of Georgia entomologist Nancy Hinkle previously told USA TODAY that joro spiders also serve as “pest control” because they feed on insects such as mosquitoes, flies and stink bugs. Birds also feed on the spiders, but the official impact on the Southeast and its species has yet to be determined.

Contributors: Jo Ciavaglia, Amanda Wallace, Bucks County Courier Times

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

Where have Joro spiders been seen in the United States?

Are Joro spiders dangerous?

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