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Spiders with 6-foot webs could take over US cities, experts warn
Scientists have warned against a giant, invasive, spider that is more at home in built-up areas than out in the wild.�
The term invasive is used to describe animals and plants that are not native to a certain area or country. Invasive animals in the US include the gray squirrel, the green crab, the cane toad, and the infamous Burmese python.
Introducing the JorM spider
JorM spiders (Trichonephila clavata), a type of orb-weaving arachnid, are instantly recognizable thanks to their bright yellow banded legs and their ability to weave golden webs of 6 feet (1.8 meters) across. The females, at around 3 inches, are double the size of males.�
The spiders are endemic to Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. But since 2014, scientists have noticed them across the States after they were believed to have stowed away on a trailer.�
When eggs hatch in the spring, baby spiders are able to parachute up to 100 miles, meaning they are easily dispersed once in an unknown area. Because of this quirky ability, they have been found across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.�
Scientists believe it is only a matter of time before they spread even further, but don’t worry, they don’t eat people.
Nowhere is safe
A new study also shed light on the JorMs unique ability to thrive in highly built-up areas, specifically near highways. Normally, spiders stay away from high-speed roads as the vibrations interfere with their ability to hunt.�
“The spiders seem to be able to make a living there,” said lead author Andy Davis, adding that they are surprisingly “urban tolerant.
Unfortunately, due to their natural resilience, scientists believe the spiders are here to stay. Thankfully, they are not dangerous but have the keen ability to turn up where you wouldnt expect a spider to be.�
“I don’t know how happy people are going to be about it, but I think the spiders are here to stay,” study co-author Alexa Schultz.
