A lot of people are talking about the #JoroSpider this week. We want to provide you with clear information about this species without sensationalism or fear-based commentary. 1/
The Joro spider is native to East Asia. It was first spotted in the U.S. in 2013 in Georiga. #JoroSpider 2/
Females reach 3-4 inches in total length, though their bodies are about an inch long. Males are much smaller. #JoroSpider 3/
Joro spiders prey on a variety of insects that they catch in their large orb webs. #JoroSpider 4/
Similar-looking spiders that are native to the U.S. include the banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata), the golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes), and the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia). #JoroSpider 5/
All spiders are predators to small prey. Most also have venom. However few spiders pose a threat to humans. They prefer to avoid us. If threatened, a spider might bite a human in self-defense, but these bites are rarely of medical significance. #JoroSpider 6/
Much of the commentary about the #JoroSpider has centered on two pieces of information: parachuting and invasiveness. We want to explain what these terms mean. 7/
Parachuting, otherwise known as ballooning or kiting, is a dispersal behavior in some spiders in which they use silk as a balloon to carry them through the air. @TheAtlantic explains this movement in detail. @SS_Henriques @IUCNSpiderSG #JoroSpider 8/ theatlantic.com/science/archiv…
Invasive alien species are species that are introduced into places outside their natural range, negatively impacting native biodiversity, ecosystem services or human well-being. @IUCN @SS_Henriques @IUCNSpiderSG #JoroSpider 9/ iucn.org/resources/issu….
We don't know enough about the #JoroSpider's environmental impact on its non-native range in the U.S. for it to be classified under the @IUCN impact categories of alien taxa.
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The #JoroSpider likely preys on other species that most humans view as pests, including the invasive brown marmorated stink bugs, which cause a lot of harm to food crops. stopbmsb.org/where-is-bmsb/ @SS_Henriques @IUCNSpiderSG 11/
We hope this thread has helped eliminate confusion about the #JoroSpider and maybe provide you with a greater understanding and appreciation of all spiders. We recommend following @SS_Henriques (our Invertebrate Conservation Coordinator) and @IUCNSpiderSG to learn more. 12/12
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