Have You Spotted These Giant Joro Spiders in Your Area?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the presence and characteristics of the Joro spider, a species that has been spreading in the United States. Participants share their experiences and observations regarding the Joro spider and its comparison to other spider species, particularly the Golden Orb Weaver and the Argiope (Garden Spider).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Joro spider is harmless and has difficulty biting humans, with its venom being weak and less painful than a bee sting.
  • One participant mentions the distinct web characteristics of the Joro spider compared to the Argiope, highlighting that Joro spider webs can be much larger, potentially exceeding 10 feet in diameter.
  • Another participant emphasizes the visual differences between the Joro spider and the native Golden Orb Weaver, suggesting that the coloration can help in identification.
  • There are observations about the web structures of different spider species, with a participant noting the artistic quality of Argiope webs.
  • Some participants express that they have not yet seen a Joro spider, indicating a lack of personal experience with the species.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the harmless nature of the Joro spider and its web characteristics, but there is no consensus on personal sightings, as some have not encountered the spider while others have seen different species.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the Joro spider's behavior and web size depend on individual observations and may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes varying levels of familiarity with the species among participants.

BWV
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apologies for the clickbaity title, the Asian Joro spider, a relative of the native golden orb weaver, has been spreading from GA for about a decade. The spiders thrive in Japan's temperate climate, which means they can eventually spread throughout the US, unlike the Golden Orb Weaver, which is limited to the humid and warm Southeast. The spiders are harmless and beautiful -anyone seen one in their area?

adult-female-joro-spiders-can-sometimes-reach-3-in.jpg

more info at:
https://extension.psu.edu/joro-spiders

Jorō spiders do not have medically important bites. The fangs of jorō spiders are small and have difficulty piercing human skin. The spiders themselves are reluctant biters and it can be difficult to make them bite you even when the spiders are handled. The venom is weak, so when bites do occur they are less painful than a bee sting and only produce localized pain and redness that dissipates quickly without intervention. The author could not find any published reports of allergic reactions associated with jorō spider bites, although some people may be allergic to the venom.

This is the native Golden Orb Weaver, can see the difference in coloration:

trichonephila-clavipes.jpg
 
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I've never seen a joro.
If it has a well-formed web with a long zig zag, it's the common Argiope (Garden Spider).
So look for much thinner web.
 
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.Scott said:
I've never seen a joro.
If it has a well-formed web with a long zig zag, it's the common Argiope (Garden Spider).
So look for much thinner web.
And much bigger - the Trichonephila genus (Joro and Golden Orb Weaver) webs can be 10+ feet in diameter
 
BWV said:
And much bigger - the Trichonephila genus (Joro and Golden Orb Weaver) webs can be 10+ feet in diameter
That is bigger. I've seen an Argiope web span a four-foot wide path through a field - completely blocking it - because who wants to destroy that kind of art.
 
Went out to a park outside of Houston, was looking for some Golden Orbweavers, but instead found these Argiope:

42348-F25-B00-D-4910-8363-CABE3-F0080-FC.jpg

F731-DEEA-8885-4-E26-8-C1-B-0511-F5270-F8-B.jpg

97-EA539-D-908-C-4928-B836-5-D93-B0-C8716-E.jpg
 
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