Recent CAPTURE: Female Joro Spider

The Joro spider, or Trichonephila clavata, has become an invasive species in the state of Georgia, but don’t go running for you pesticides just yet. They are harmless to humans and actually quite shy, and it goes without saying that they’re absolutely beautiful in their own frightening way.

Like their cousin the golden orb weaver, the Joro spider spins huge webs of golden silk, some spanning over 3 feet. The webs are usually found up to 10 feet above the ground, making it easy to catch insects that tend to fly above our heads in the canopy. This hunting style gave the spider its Japanese name “jorō-gumo” meaning “entangling or binding bride”.

In their adult form, Joro spiders are easily recognizable. Female Joro spiders leg spans can measure up to 4 inches (roughly the size of the human palm). They have blue-black and yellow stripes on their backs and legs and distinctive red markings that on their underside.