Posted in Virginia Natural Wonders, Nature March 23, 2022 by Beth

Be On The Lookout For A New Invasive Species Of Spider In Virginia This Year

Insects and critters of all kinds are an inevitable part of life, especially here in Virginia, where there are so many wild spaces. Yet you may want to keep your eyes peeled… a brand-new kind of invasive species may be arriving in the Old Dominion soon. A spider known as the Joro spider has already made an appearance in a few southeastern states, and scientists believe it’s only a matter of time before the creature is spotted in Virginia.

New research from the University of Georgia suggests that an invasive species of spider known as Trichonephila clavata (or more commonly, the Joro spider) could be making its way to East Coast states.

This particular spider is common in Japan, although recently, it's also been spotted in northern Georgia and western South Carolina.

It's believed that the Joro spider first arrived in the U.S in 2013 and has slowly been spreading throughout the Southeast since.

One way the spider spreads is a method known as "ballooning," where the spider uses its silk threads to parachute from one spot to the next.

Moreover, these spiders are able to survive in relatively cold climates, meaning they may soon be expanding even beyond the Southeast.

And while these spiders are a bit intimidating looking with their yellow, black, and red bodies, and the fact that they are palm-sized, the good news is that they pose no threat to humans.

So if you happen to see an unusual-looking spider in the near future, you might have spotted this invasive new species.

For more information, you can read about the recent findings from the University of Georgia. What are your thoughts on this invasive spider species? Be sure to share with us in the comments below!

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