New Jersey is preparing for an influx of giant Joro Spiders this summer. These large, colorful spiders, native to East Asia, are expected to spread up the East Coast, reaching the Garden State in the coming months.
Joro Spiders are known for their size, with females as large as a human palm when their legs are fully extended. Despite their intimidating appearance, these spiders are harmless to humans and pets. They are easily identifiable by their yellow and grey abdomens adorned with red patches and blue stripes.
The spiders have been present in Georgia for about a decade and are now spreading rapidly across the country, according to a study conducted by David Coyle, a scientist at Clemson University. The spiders are light enough to travel through the air, aiding their spread.
"(The data from the study shows) that this spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern U.S.," Coyle said to WNBC-TV. "It shows that their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America."
While the spiders may be a cause for concern for arachnophobes, they are relatively harmless and even beneficial in some ways. Joro Spiders feed on pests such as mosquitoes, yellowjackets, stink bugs, and even spotted lanternflies.
However, the arrival of these spiders could have implications for local biodiversity. "We definitely have information that shows that when you have high populations of Joro spiders you have very low populations of native spiders of the same type. So basically, the Joro will come in and crowd all of the other stuff out creating a biodiversity loss," Coyle explained to NorthJersey.com.
Despite the potential ecological impact, Coyle assures residents that the spiders are not interested in invading homes and are unlikely to pose a threat to humans or pets. The spiders are expected to arrive in New Jersey at any time and are "here to stay."