We can easily say that spiders are not our favorite things to meet in the wild! Give us a lion or moose any day of the week, instead! But in the next few months it might be wise for all of us to start facing our fears because an invasive species of spider could be on its way to New Hampshire. Scientists have started saying that the east coast could be seeing more of the Joro spider. This large creature, hailing from Asia, has been spotted in Florida and Georgia and warmer weather patterns might be brining them our way!
The official name of the Joro spider is “Trichonephila clavata” which is a fancy name for the large and in-charge creature that can grow to be the size of a human palm.
DKosig / iStock / Getty Images Plus
These spiders seem unique, but they’ve been prevalent across Asia for quite some time. And now New Hampshire might need to get used to them being around.
Denis Zabin / Flickr
They’ve already arrived in the southeast, making a home in both Florida and Georgia.
The Nature Box, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The Joro spider can be identified by looking for the distinctive large, thick, golden web. Female adults are the most noticeable with an abdomen that can grow as large as a human thumb. Males are much smaller, which you can see in this photo.
Neil Dalphin / Flickr
One of the most distinctive elements of the spiders is that they can “parachute” their way through the air. Younger spiders and males have been known to float up to 100 miles on their silk threads. Females generally can’t do this due to their size.
gpwitteveen / Flickr
Seeing one of the spiders can be fear inducing, but there’s not much to worry about.
Christina Butler from Georgia, United States, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
While these spiders are venomous, their fangs can’t puncture human skin and they generally don’t become aggressive unless cornered.
macleaygrassman / Flickr
The good news is that, like many spiders, the Joro helps to control the population of insects we don’t like such as stinkbugs and mosquitos.
washuugenius / Flickr So, if you’re nervous about running into one in New Hampshire try thinking about the good they offer. And then avoid that area next time!
If you’ve spotted any of these unusual spiders, head to the comments and let us know!
DKosig / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Denis Zabin / Flickr
The Nature Box, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Neil Dalphin / Flickr
gpwitteveen / Flickr
Christina Butler from Georgia, United States, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
macleaygrassman / Flickr
washuugenius / Flickr
So, if you’re nervous about running into one in New Hampshire try thinking about the good they offer. And then avoid that area next time!
Not all bugs are to be avoided. Some are actually beautiful and you can see them right here. Head to Kirkwood Gardens of New Hampshire which is home to a beautiful butterfly garden.
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