Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say

Fox Baltimore ^ | March 4, 2022 | ZACHARY ROGERS

[Henry Cavendish]

ATLANTA (TND) — An invasive species of spider has made its way to Georgia, and will likely spread out to more states along the East Coast, according to experts with the University of Georgia (UGA).

The 3-inch long "Joro Spider" is native to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The spider thrives in Japan, which has a similar climate to the southeastern United States...

[Henry Cavendish]

Allegedly, they are harmless to humans.

[skeeter]

Oh hell no.

[Rurudyne]

So are Huntsman Spiders. BIG and they hunt the spiders that want to hurt you badly … but they also like to share you pillow.

[Yo-Yo]

Looks harmless...

[BenLurkin]

House cats across the region will be greatly entertained.

[griffin]

I hope this report gains legs.

[Joe 6-pack]

Do they eat fire ants? If so, I’d like to order a couple thousand.

[Blueflag]

We’ve had them for two years. Never seen them parachute, ever. Some say no sting, others say nasty like a hornet sting (bite actually.)

Their webs are golden in the sunlight. Some of the females can span 4” legs to legs.

Nothing seems to eat them.

Annoying and invasive. But not OMG.

[griffin]

Spiders like skeeters

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

"There’s really no reason to go around actively squishing them,"

Speak for yourself.

DANG!

[griffin]

In NH i stomped on this fat brown spider in the driveway. Off jumped like 300 itty bitty spider kidlettes. Grossest thing I’ve seen in a while. Really freaky.

[moovova]

Sounds like I need to get the badminton racket out.

[BluH2o]

Another import from Japan ... Kudzu was introduced a number of years ago to help with erosion issues. We, or at least people in the southeast, are aware of how that went quickly array.

[BiglyCommentary]

What’s their Latin name, OneOhOneous Airborneous ?

[GreenHornet]

Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say

Where do they get these teeny parachutes? Do they pack the chutes themselves, or does someone do it for them? Who flies them to the drop site? So many unanswered questions!

[PIF]

Mostly harmless ... later the man’s hand feel off.

[sphinx]

It’s best to carry a small tactical nuke for that kind of situation. You might have to take one for the team, but war is hell.

[bert]

[griffin]

Think there might be a market for small, tactical, spider children nukes? Hmmm.... that thar is a gud idear.

[Libloather]