Venomous Flying Spiders Reported in New Jersey, What It Means for Massachusetts

The SouthCoast may have dodged the great cicada brood of 2024, but we have another pest on our hands that may be crawling our way.

They have eight legs, they have a venomous bite, and they can fly. Yes, you read that right.

The Joro spider has arrived on the East Coast. What does that mean for our area?

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What Is a Joro Spider and Where Did It Come From?

The Joro spider is classified as a part of a group of spiders known as orb weavers and is named for their highly organized, yellow-tinted wheel-shaped webs. When fully grown, they can measure 3-4 inches across when their eight legs are fully extended. While the adult females are brightly colored, the males are smaller and usually a brownish color.

According to Orkin, the Joro spider was likely brought into the US in 2013 or 2014 in a container ship from Japan, China, Taiwan, and/or Korea that was headed for Atlanta, GA.

The spider’s ability to adapt to diverse environments and its ability to reproduce rapidly have contributed to its spread across the country, and most recently, into New Jersey.

Are Joro Spiders Dangerous?

“While their venom is not deadly to humans, it can cause discomfort and allergic reactions in some individuals,” said New Jersey Pest Control. “What sets them apart, however, is their ability to fly.”

Joro spiders utilize a technique called "ballooning", where they release silk threads into the air, allowing them to be carried by the wind.

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They may not be deadly, but a concerning point was made by Southern Adventist University Professor David Nelson and Clemson University Assistant David Coyle, who found native species are negatively affected by Joros.

“These are not just benign spiders coming to catch and kill bad things; these are pushing out native species and catching and killing whatever happens to get in their webs,” Coyle said. “Are they bad or good? It’s very nuanced depending on your perspective.”

Simply put, whatever gets trapped in their web, the Joro spider will eat it.

Are Joro Spiders in Massachusetts?

The good news is that Joro spiders have not been reported in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

The bad news is they will most likely show up this summer, according to Coyle.

At this time, there is no evidence that Joro spiders have done any damage to people or pets, but these flying arachnids may cause havoc on native species if and when they do arrive.