NEW YORK (WABC) — A large, brightly colored invasive species called the Joro spider is on the move in the United States. Populations have been growing in parts of the South and East Coast for years, and many researchers think its only a matter of time before they spread to much of the continental U.S.
“My sense is people like the weird and fantastic and potentially dangerous,” said David Nelsen, a professor of biology at Southern Adventist University who has studied the growing range of Joro spiders. “This is one of those things that sort of checks all the boxes for public hysteria.”
Scientists instead worry about the growing prevalence of invasive species that can do damage to our crops and trees – a problem made worse by global trade and climate change, which is making local environmental conditions more comfortable for pests that previously couldnt survive frigid winters.
“I think this is one of those canary in the coal mine type species where its showy, its getting a lot of attention,” said Hannah Burrack, professor and chair of the entomology department at Michigan State University. But the shy critter poses little risk to humans. Instead, Burrack said, introduced pests like fruit flies and tree borers can do more damage.
“This is a global concern, because it makes all the things that we do in terms of conservation, in terms of agricultural production, in terms of human health, harder to manage,” she said.
We also talked to Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, an ecologist at Rutgers University and director of the Freshkills Biological Station in New York City, to get his take.
If you live in New York chances are you’ve encountered your fair share of spiders. With over 40000 identified spider species worldwide, New York is home to hundreds of spider varieties.
As a New Yorker myself, I used to feel creeped out whenever I came across one of these 8-legged critters. But over time, I’ve learned that most spiders you find in New York are harmless to humans. Getting to know the most common spider species in the area can help you identify the ones you see in and around your home.
In this article, I’ll go over some of the spiders you’re most likely to spot in New York and tips on how to identify them.
1. Black and Yellow Garden Spider
With a legspan up to 1.5 inches, the black and yellow garden spider is one of the largest and most eye-catching spiders found in New York. As their name suggests, these spiders have distinct black and yellow striped bodies. They build impressive circular webs in gardens, fields, and bushes to catch insects and other prey.
The webs have zigzag patterns across the center which help alert birds so they avoid flying through and destroying the web. If you have any large, intricately patterned webs in your yard, chances are they belong to a black and yellow garden spider.
2. Nursery Web Spider
Nursery web spiders can be found near bodies of water like streams or ponds. They build messy looking “nursery” webs in vegetation to guard their eggs. Some species even fish for aquatic insects by waiting near the water’s edge and sensing vibrations from potential prey.
These spiders resemble wolf spiders with their brown bodies and long legs, but have smaller eyes and legs held more widely apart Look for nursery webs filled with white spider egg sacs to spot these spiders
3. Jumping Spider
As their name suggests, jumping spiders are known for their ability to jump long distances – up to 40 times their body length! There are hundreds of jumping spider species in New York, but most have stocky builds with large front eyes.
Jumping spiders don’t spin webs to catch prey. Instead they rely on stealth and agility to actively hunt insects and other spiders. Their large eyes give them sharp vision to accurately leap toward unsuspecting prey.
Some jumping spiders even do mating dances, where males wiggle their colored legs and fangs to attract females. Pretty cute for spiders!
4. Cellar Spider
The cellar spider is one of the most common spiders found inside New York homes. They build messy, tangled webs in dark corners on walls or ceilings. Their long legs and thin, spindly bodies give them a creepy look. But cellar spiders help control household pests by catching insects in their webs.
These spiders have a narrow gray or brown abdomen and incredibly lengthy legs – even longer than their whole body length! Watch for their chaotic webs near ceilings and pipes to spot them.
5. American House Spider
American house spiders are also fixtures inside New York homes. They build cobwebs in undisturbed corners of basements or crawl spaces. The spider will rest in the middle of the web waiting to catch any unfortunate prey that flies or crawls into the strands.
Look for cobwebs with a large round spider hanging upside down in the center. American house spiders have shiny gray/brown abdomens and skinnier legs compared to other household spiders. While they look intimidating, their venom is not considered dangerous to humans.
Identifying Spiders in New York
When trying to identify a spider, look for key details like colors/patterns, body and leg shape, web patterns, and favorite hangouts. Safe spiders like daddy long-legs and crab spiders help control pests so it’s useful to learn how to recognize harmless species.
Some tips for identification:
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Garden spiders often have colorful patterns and build large circular webs.
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Cobweb spiders have chunky bodies and make messy cobwebs in hidden areas.
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Jumping spiders have short, stout legs and pounce on prey instead of building webs.
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Orb weavers spin perfect spiral webs with the spider centered inside.
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Wolf spiders run after prey on the ground and females carry egg sacs.
Luckily, most spiders you’ll find inside and outside your home are not considered dangerous to humans. Knowing how to identify the common spider species can help ease your mind when you spot webs or crawling legs. Understanding their helpful pest control benefits makes them a little less creepy too.
WHERE ARE THEY HEADED?
Scientists are still trying to figure that out, said David Coyle, an assistant professor at Clemson University who worked with Nelsen on a study on the Joros range, published last November. Their central population is primarily in Atlanta but expanding to the Carolinas and southeastern Tennessee. A satellite population has taken hold in Baltimore over the last two years, Coyle said.
As for when the species will become more prevalent in the Northeast, an eventual outcome suggested by their research? “Maybe this year, maybe a decade, we really dont know,” he said. “Theyre probably not going to get that far in a single year. Its going to take a bunch of incremental steps.”
The babies can: using a tactic called “ballooning,” young Joro spiders can use their webs to harness the winds and electromagnetic currents of the Earth to travel relatively long distances. But you wont see fully-grown Joro spiders taking flight.
WHAT IS THE JORO SPIDER?
The Joro spider is one of a group of spiders called orb-weavers, named for their wheel-shaped webs. Theyre native to East Asia, have bright yellow and black coloring and can grow as long as three inches (8 cm) when their legs are fully extended.
However, theyre pretty hard to spot at this time of year because theyre still early in their life cycle, only about the size of a grain of rice. A trained eye can spot their softball-sized webs on a front porch, or their gossamer threads of golden silk blanketing the grass. Adults are most commonly seen in August and September.
Giant venomous flying spiders with 4-inch legs heading to New York area
FAQ
Are there any poisonous spiders in NY?
Two species of small, pale, yellow spiders, called yellow sac spiders Cheiracanthium mildei (pictured here) and C. inclusum, are the only spiders in New York that are moderately poisonous to humans. They have necrotic venom that causes itchy or painful ulcerating sores that are slow to heal.
What is the most common spider in NY?
- Sac Spider. You’ve probably heard of the brown recluse spider, but are you familiar with the sac spider? …
- Nursery Web Spider. …
- Funnel-Web or Grass Spider. …
- Black and Yellow Garden Spider. …
- Sheet Web Weaver Spider. …
- Wolf Spider. …
- American House Spider. …
- Cellar Spider.
What is the biggest spider in upstate New York?
The Dark Fishing Spider in New York
The Dark Fishing Spider, an arachnid that many New Yorkers may have never even heard of, holds the title for the largest spider in the state.
Do brown recluse spiders live in upstate NY?
Generally, no. A common fear about spiders is the bite of a dangerous or venomous species. However, this is extremely unlikely because the brown recluse spider does not occur in New York, and black widow spiders are found primarily in dark, moist areas where people are unlikely to interact with them.