2024 Joro Spider Season is Coming!
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New: The Joro Spider Journal: The Blue Book

The Joro Spider

Or, if you want to be fancy, the Jorō Spider. That’s Trichonephila clavata for those of you who are more scientifically inclined. If you’ve seen one, you know.

While the Joro spider arrived several years ago, it was the slow, then exponentially spread across northeastern Georgia in 2021 which put them into global consciousness. Georgia residents saw them around their yards, in churchyards, and outside their favorite pubs. Articles were written in the popular press, showing the world the spider’s magnificence.

Is a picture worth a thousand words? If a description is something like, “a large colorful spider,” and then you see a photo of a spider equal to a man’s hand, I say no. There’s a chance you are speechless.

We love them. We think they are beautiful. Look carefully and see their intricate design. Join us as we explore this gorgeous newcomer to the American South (and soon, the East).

There are a few myths about the spider that causes some folks to panic. It’s just a big spider that happens to be colorful. Don’t hate it because it’s beautiful. Some of the myths are pervasive: Do you know the one about the hummingbird?

What should you do if you see a Joro spider?

Spiders of North America (Princeton Field Guides, 154)

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MERCH: See our Joro gift shop. Brand new book “The Joro Spider Journal: The Blue Book” See our newest mug.
ON SALE: Search field guide for spiders on Amazon.
ON KINDLE: The First Time You Die read a story in a cemetery (no spiders, sorry).

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Our Goal

Our goal is to help inform people about the Joro Spider in general and, to track their growth in the United States. By reducing fear and increasing joy through education, we hope we are making the world a little sweeter. Along the way, please smile with us at this wondrous creature.

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Quick Facts

Originally from East Asia
They are an introduced species, but not invasive.
They can grow as big as your hand. Unless you are Shaq.
As many as 1,500 eggs can be counted in one egg sack.
Their web might be nine feet across.

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Where

If you live in northeast Georgia, you’ve seen them in your yard. Likewise, if you live in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and China — they are common there. We predict they’ll take over the American South much like kudzu has. Harmful or helpful? So far, helpful.

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Who Are You

I’m guessing initial visitors will be from Georgia (where I am). However, since the weather and general environment here is similar to Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina, I expect a few residents from those states to be dropping in soon. Let us know where you’re from in our Facebook group.

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Yum Yum!

They mostly eat insects, but their webs are strong. A small bat or hummingbird rarely can be caught. Young tree frogs and lizards too.

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Beauty

This beautiful, delicate beast…
this powerful, yet light creature…
this ever-present though mysterious being…

Savage? If you are a beetle, yes.

Fearsome? Absolutely… if you are a grasshopper.

Terrible? If you are the fly which will not be going home tonight, quite.

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Humans

To the human noticing them on your patio, they are awesome, as in awe-inspiring.

This is a place to get started and hopefully lead you into the wonderful, entrancing world of the Joro Spider.

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Creepy

We prefer to consider them stunning. Sure, walking into an unexpected spider web is alarming, but the Joro Spider means no ill-will to humans.

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Jorōgumo

There’s a Japanese myth, something like the Greek Siren, in which the spider becomes a beautiful woman to entice men. Then, she eats them. OK, that’s creepy.

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