Introduction and Personal Observations

• Josh observed joro spider eating/fighting with bee today
• Chuck notes spiders all over house in Georgia/South Carolina
• CNN headline called them "giant venomous joro spiders infiltrating US" - hosts call this preposterous

Scientific Classification and Origins

• Scientific name: Nephila clavada
• From East Asia, arrived via shipping containers/lumber imports
• First spotted in Georgia 2013
• Atlanta serves as hub for joro spider population
• Adults emerge and spin webs August-October

Etymology and Cultural Names

• Japanese: "joro gumo" (pronounced "juro" with long O symbol)
  • Means "entangling or binding bride"
• Korean: "mudang gomi" (shaman or fortune teller)
• Pronunciation: "juro" not "joro" based on Japanese spelling

Physical Characteristics and Identification

• Large orb weaver spiders creating webs up to 10 feet wide
• Chuck encountered 4-8 feet wide web between outdoor umbrellas
• Females: larger, colorful with yellow, dark blue, red on belly, orange leg bands
• Males: smaller, drab-looking
• Only females spin webs
• Distinguished from garden spiders by coloration (garden spiders: yellow/black only)

Web Properties and Behavior

• Webs extremely strong - don't break easily when walked through
• Birds can perch on webs temporarily
• Spiders live close together, not territorial
• Males use various courtship strategies to approach females without being eaten
  • Float on gossamer threads like parachutes/hang gliders
  • Approach when female is eating
• Females may kill and eat males during mating

Geographic Spread and Adaptation

• Currently in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama
• Moving northward up Eastern Seaboard
• West Virginia northernmost extent as of June 2024
• Satellite population in Baltimore
• University of Georgia research shows cold tolerance higher than expected
• Predicted to reach New Jersey, New York and beyond

Ecological Impact and Reasons for Success

• Spreading rapidly due to:
  • No natural predators yet (species too new - 10+ years)
  • Abundant food supply (flying insects, particularly stink bugs)
  • Little competition (weave webs higher than competing spiders)
• Currently in "Golden Age" boom period
• No apparent negative impact on other spider populations
• Ecosystem effects unclear but not apocalyptic

Human Interaction and Safety

• Venomous but not dangerous to humans
• Bite comparable to bee sting, causes local reaction only
• Usually run away from humans
• Should NOT be killed despite being invasive
• Yumi (Chuck's wife) bitten while gardening roses - minimal reaction
• Recommendation: wear gardening gloves when working in areas with spiders