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Joro spiders are heading up the coast

UC biologist says these garden spiders want to stay in the garden

headshot of Michael Miller By Michael Miller 513-556-6757
2 minute read June 11, 2024

Everyday Health turned to a University of Cincinnati biologist to learn more about an invasive spider from Asia that is showing up in more American back yards.

The Joro spider is a large, yellow orb-weaving spider from Japan that is slowly creeping across the American Southeast toward the Mid-Atlantic.

Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. George W. Uetz holds one of his male spider in his lab at Rieveschl Hall. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

UC Professor Emeritus George Uetz. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC

Female spiders grow to more than 3 inches in length. They build equally enormous webs spanning more than 10 feet to catch flying insects, which makes it hard for them to go unnoticed in gardens and back yards. But they are harmless and don't bite people, said George Uetz, a professor emeritus in UC's College of Arts and Sciences.

“They are very sedentary in their webs,” he told Everyday Health.

Uetz spent his career studying the fascinating behavior of spiders and other animals in his biology lab. He was named a fellow this year of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.

If disturbed, the spider freezes in place for as long as an hour.

“Approach them from a distance, observe them, and you will see they are no threat, as they stay in their web,” Uetz said.

Read the Everyday Health story.

Featured image at top: Joro spiders are showing up in more states. Photo/David Hansche

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