Khaberni - A type of spiders known as the "Joro Spider" with bright yellow color is spreading in the United States, amidst warnings of its increasing habitation in new areas within the country.
This spider, originally from Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia, has been appearing in increasing numbers since it was spotted again in the United States in 2024. It is present in multiple states including Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and is often noticed in the fall when it reaches full size between August and October.
Experts believe the spread of this species is due to its ability to transfer through the air in a phenomenon known as "ballooning," where spiders release silk threads that act like sails, helping them to rise and move over long distances, facilitating their geographical expansion every breeding season.
With the approaching spring, new eggs are preparing to hatch, which may lead to an additional increase in the number of these spiders, especially since their young are capable of moving over long distances through winds, which enhances the chances of their spread to new areas within the country.
The females of the "Joro" spider are characterized by a shiny yellow color with blue stripes and red markings, in addition to their large size, which can sometimes reach the size of a human palm, while the males are smaller and have a dark brown color. The females build large golden silk webs to catch their prey, and these webs become more widespread as the number of spiders increases.
Despite their striking nature and ability to adapt to various environments, including crowded cities and roads with vibrations and noise, studies have shown that these spiders are not significantly affected by these conditions, unlike other types of spiders.
In this context, researchers at the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia conducted experiments to simulate road vibrations, and it turned out that the "Joro Spider" is able to coexist with these environments without significant impact, which explains its spread near urban areas.
Despite this, researchers confirm that this invasive species does not pose a direct threat to humans, as no cases of death or medically significant bites have been recorded, and their behavior tends to avoid biting.
However, researchers point out that its danger lies in being an invasive species that may affect the ecological balance by competing with local species for food and space, in addition to preying on creatures caught in its webs.
It is believed that this spider entered the United States more than a decade ago through commercial shipments from East Asia, and since then it has gradually continued to spread, with expectations of reaching areas in Canada in the future.
Its ability to adapt and spread quickly is attributed to biological traits, including a high metabolic rate, a fast heart rate, and tolerance to cold weather, as laboratory experiments showed that more than 75% of the samples subjected to freezing were not significantly affected.
Estimates indicate that the life cycle of this spider starts with the hatching of eggs between May and June, then the young grow over several months to reach their full size before the mating season begins.
While its spread may be seen as a nuisance in some areas, specialists believe it can be easily managed in a residential environment, while it remains on the list of invasive species that require ongoing scientific monitoring.
