The Joro Is An Invasive Spider Species In North Carolina This Year

Keep a watchful eye this year for a new and invasive spider species in North Carolina. As if we don’t have enough to worry about, right? Officials are reporting the quick spread of a Japanese spider known as the Joro Spider (pronounced JAW-roh) into the Carolinas from where it’s thought to have entered the United States in Georgia.

And it’s not just any old spider. The Joro is enormous! Here it is below seen eating a small grasshopper. And this one is a male.

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The female is approximately two-thirds larger than the male. The leg span of a mature female (seen here) can reach up to eight inches.

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What is there to worry about with the Joro? Not much. In the scheme of things it’s not venomous, so that’s a good thing.

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But, even though they’re not overly aggressive, they can be territorial and they can and will bite. It’s best to keep your distance — and to resist any natural instinct you may find welling up inside you to harm the Joro. Why?

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Scientists have reason to believe the Joro will naturally cull the population of a more annoying invasive species…

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The pesky stink bug.

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As mentioned, the Joro was first seen in the Southeastern U.S. in Georgia several years back. They are thought to have stowed away in shipping containers coming from Japan.

PeterHermesFurian / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images Joro Spiders have already been spotted moving into the upstate of South Carolina and officials in North Carolina are predicting the arrival into the Tar Heel State as well. If you see one, report it immediately to the NC DNCR.

Interestingly, the Joro has a place in Japanese folklore that compares the Joro to the Jorogumo, a legendary creature that can shapeshift into a pretty woman. The beautiful woman then seduces men, capturing them in her silk web and then she feasts on them for dinner.

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Incidentally, the Joro’s web is usually about three feet wide and it’s crafted in three different layers. That’s two more reasons to avoid this invasive spider species in North Carolina! Have you spotted one this year yet?