Joro Spiders: Flying (or Ballooning) Across the East Coast – Friend or Foe?

The East Coast is buzzing with the news about the new eight-legged inhabitant, the Joro Spider. They are vibrantly orb-weavers colored and hail from East Asia, with their first sighting recorded in Georgia during 2014. Due to their ability to balloon (sometimes referred to as “flying”) away, populations have been set up remarkably quickly, according to experts.

Can they really fly?

Joro ‘Flying’ Spiders: Ballooning Explained

Joro spiderlings release long, thin threads of silk into the sky. The wind carries these threads far off with the little creatures on them. When they reach new grounds, the spiders leave their birthplace, thus starting new populations in other regions.

Current Infestation Zones

Based on confirmed sightings, Joro spiders have taken root in the following states:

• Southeast: Georgia (initial introduction point), South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida
• Mid-Atlantic: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky

Potential Future Expansion

Given the ballooning technique and the current range, here are some areas likely to see Joro spiders next:

• Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
• Great Lakes: Ohio (already reported), Michigan, Indiana, Illinois

Friend or Foe?

The east coast arrival of Joro spider is an amazing example of invasive species. Their impact on the ecosystem is still unclear, but there is no need for alarm.