Be On The Lookout For A New Invasive Species Of Spider In New Hampshire This Year
We can easily say that spiders are not our favorite things to meet in the wild! Give us a lion or moose any day of the week, instead! But in the next few months it might be wise for all of us to start facing our fears because an invasive species of spider could be on its way to New Hampshire. Scientists have started saying that the east coast could be seeing more of the Joro spider. This large creature, hailing from Asia, has been spotted in Florida and Georgia and warmer weather patterns might be brining them our way!
The official name of the Joro spider is "Trichonephila clavata" which is a fancy name for the large and in-charge creature that can grow to be the size of a human palm.
These spiders seem unique, but they've been prevalent across Asia for quite some time. And now New Hampshire might need to get used to them being around.
The Joro spider can be identified by looking for the distinctive large, thick, golden web. Female adults are the most noticeable with an abdomen that can grow as large as a human thumb. Males are much smaller, which you can see in this photo.
One of the most distinctive elements of the spiders is that they can "parachute" their way through the air. Younger spiders and males have been known to float up to 100 miles on their silk threads. Females generally can't do this due to their size.
Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
