Enormous Venomous Spiders Seen in Massachusetts For First Time

A venomous spider of East Asia has finally made it to Massachusetts.

Months after predicting that these large, flying spiders would eventually arrive in the Bay State, they are officially here after being spotted in the Beacon Hill section of Boston.

The sighting marks the most northern location yet for this vibrant yellow spider that has been slowly spreading across North America since arriving in 2013.

So what does this news mean for Massachusetts residents?

Although Trichonephila clavata, also known as the Joro spider, looks and sounds extremely creepy, those looks can be deceiving.

What Is a Joro Spider?

Joro spiders are bright yellow spiders that can grow up to 4 inches in size. Compare that to the nearly half inch size of a common daddy long legs spider and it's easy to see why they are called 'giant.'

The joro spider is most common in East Asia, found mostly in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

How Did the Joro Spider Get to the U.S.?

Like many insects that cross an ocean, the joro spider first came to North America in a shipping container.

READ MORE: Lakeville Woman Finds 'Creepiest Spider Ever' Crawling On Her

The stowaway spider managed to make the trip from East Asia to the state of Georgia, where it was first seen stateside in 2013 or 2014.

Are Joro Spiders Dangerous?

Despite being very large and venomous, the joro spider is not typically dangerous to people.

They are actually pretty afraid of humans and very rarely bite. Plus with their vibrant yellow bodies, they are easy to spot and avoid.

Even if a venomous joro spider were to actually bite you, their venom would essentially do you no harm.

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Joro spider bites are comparative to bee stings according to experts, so the bite would be a small sting and some redness that would quickly go away.

What To Do If You See a Joro Spider

Though these huge spiders are not considered dangerous, they do look quite creepy.

If you come across one however, you should try to remain calm and simply leave it alone if you can.

Joro spiders can be very beneficial since they eat other insects and can help control big population.

They are also very unlikely to want to get in your house and often die off by late November when the weather gets too cold for them.