Intruding organisms - Massive aerial arachnid covers the United States.
These arachnids boast a vibrant, yellow hue and originated in Eastern Asia. However, they've been making headway in the southwestern United States for over a decade. Experts suspect they might colonize other areas along the East Coast as well.
Cities, even big ones, aren't out of reach for these creatures. A team at the University of Georgia discovered these spiders prefer highly populated habitats and areas with heavy traffic, such as near major roads. New York could be a potential target, as early reports from New Jersey Pest Control indicate a likely spread to the state this year.
Spread of Joro Spiders in the USA
Part of their swift spread throughout the USA can be attributed to the unique mobility of their offspring. Unlike most American spiders, these youngsters can fly! While they don't actually possess wings, they use their webs as makeshift balloons, harnessing wind and Earth's electromagnetic currents to travel up to 100 kilometers. Adult spiders lack this ability.
There's no need to fear these spiders, experts say. Females grow up to 15 centimeters in size with their legs but pose no real threat to humans. Their bites are akin to a bee sting and can trigger an allergic response.
While the spider's appearance might not be everyone's favorite, David Coyle, a professor at Clemson University and expert on invasive species, shares his thoughts on the matter. "Those who aren't fond of creepy crawlers will undoubtedly find this species unsettling," says Coyle in a conversation with CBS. "Given his research, Coyle expects the Joro spider to spread across the entire East Coast of the USA within the next few years. However, he doesn't predict the spiders will invade homes; rather, they'll weave their webs on buildings or other structures. In his study, Coyle found that native spider species have no space to call their own, as the Joro spider takes over their territory and eliminates anything that dares approach their web.
References: CBS, Washington Post, NJ Pest Control, Clemson University
- Campus: University of Georgia
- Institution: Clemson UniversitySpider Species under Focus: Joro SpiderKey Findings: - The spiders prefer highly populated environments and areas with heavy traffic. - They can fly short distances via their webs. - They don't pose a real danger to humans; their bite feels like a bee sting. - They displace native spider species and kill everything that enters their web. - Experts expect them to spread down the East Coast of the USA over the next few years. - They likely won't breed in homes but will build webs on buildings or other structures.
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The Joro spider, known for its giant size and vibrant yellow color, might expand its territory beyond the southwestern United States and migrate towards the East Coast. This spider species, currently making strides in the USA, originated from Eastern Asia and is known for its unique offspring that can travel long distances via their webs.
As the Joro spider continues its spread along the East Coast of the USA, experts predict that it will favor densely populated cities like New York, as seen in its preference for highly populated areas and heavy traffic.
