Joro spiders expand presence across Southeast United States

The invasive Joro spider is expanding its presence across several United States states, primarily within the Southeast. Originally native to East Asia, the species was first documented in Georgia in 2014 and has since been reported in more than a dozen states.

Adult female Joro spiders are characterized by their bright yellow bodies with bluish-green stripes and long black-and-yellow legs, with leg spans reaching approximately 4 inches. While young spiders use a silk-releasing process called ‘ballooning’ to travel via wind, full-grown adults do not fly.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has issued a warning to visitors regarding the spiders' presence. Researchers at the University of Tennessee are currently mapping the species' spread and are requesting public assistance. Citizens who spot a spider are encouraged to take a photograph and report the sighting via the iNaturalist app or email to assist in tracking efforts.