A giant, flying, invasive spider from SouthEast Asia has now been spotted in the Charlotte region, scientists confirm.
The Joro spider, known scientifically as Trichonephila clavata, originated in East Asia and arrived in the U.S. during the 2010s. It first took hold in Georgia and was first sighted in Western North Carolina a few years ago.
Researchers say the Joro spider’s survival abilities could allow it to thrive even beyond the southeastern United States. A recent study comparing it to the golden silk spider found that the Joro’s metabolism and heart rate are much higher, helping it withstand colder climates.
Data from iNaturalist.org show that Joro spiders complete their lifecycle quickly, surviving brief freezes with a 74% success rate.
Dr. Matt Bertone with NC State University’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic urges calm, noting the Joro is far less threatening than its size suggests. “It’s not a menace,” he said. “It’s simply a new resident in our ecosystem.”
Before reporting sightings, experts advise residents to avoid confusing the Joro spider with the common black and yellow garden spider, often called the “writing spider” due to its zigzag web design.
As fall approaches, experts area asking residents across Mecklenburg, Union, and Gaston Counties to report it immediately to the N.C. Cooperative Extension center in your county. You can also submit information to NC State’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic.
