Parade: What are Joro spiders?
UC biologist talks about enormous invasive spider that has been seen in southern states
Parade magazine talked to University of Cincinnati biologist Nathan Morehouse about an enormous invasive spider that is spreading across the American Southeast.
The Joro spider grows nearly as big as your palm. Normally found in Japan, the spiders were introduced to the United States in 2013. They expand their range as baby spiders when they release little parachutes that help them sail on the wind to new territories.
Invasive Joro spiders are spreading across the American Southeast. Photo/Carly Mirabile/Courtesy the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Morehouse, an associate professor of biology in UC's College of Arts and Sciences, told Parade magazine that the spiders got their name from Jorōgumo, a mythical creature from Japanese folklore.
"Jorōgumo are shapeshifting spiders that can turn into beautiful women to ensnare and eat young men," Morehouse told Parade. "The name in modern kanji translates literally to 'entangling bride.'"
Morehouse has studied the vision of spiders around the world and serves as director of UC's Institute for Research in Sensing.
Scientists say Joro spiders are more tolerant of cold temperatures than other spiders, which could help them spread farther north than native orb-weaving spiders found in the South.
The good news is Joro spiders are docile and have little interest in making a home in people's homes, he said.
And their enormous webs can trap plenty of biting flies or mosquitoes if people are willing to tolerate their colorful garden guests, Morehouse said.
"My best advice is to adopt a stance of curiosity toward these newcomers, which live fascinating and surprisingly beautiful lives, all while eating lots of insects every day and night," Morehouse said.
Featured image at top: Invasive Joro spiders have been seen in some southeastern states. Photo/Anthony Barkdoll/Courtesy the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
UC associate professor Nathan Morehouse talked to Parade magazine about enormous Joro spiders that have been found in the Southeast. Photo/Jay Yocis/UC Creative + Brand
More UC biology news
UC chemistry student Melissa Kelley works in a biology lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
Related Stories
'Very inspiring'; UC professor wins award for greenhouse-gas research, credits students for her passion
October 30, 2026
Amy Townsend-Small, a College of Arts and Sciences professor, won the 2026 Sustainability Leadership award for her nearly two decades of work looking into the oil and gas industries. Townsend-Small, who teaches for the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEaS), said she studies where methane is emitted through the life cycle of natural gas, and what can be done to reduce emissions. Methane, according to Townsend-Small, is very good at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Specifically, she works to quantify the emissions with the goal to be providing accurate data for policy change.
Arts and Sciences student wins national award for work on vigilante political violence in India
October 29, 2026
A competitive academic award in the political sciences arena has been captured by College of Arts and Sciences student, Yash Sharma. The prestigious HFG Emerging Scholar award is open to students from across the world and every discipline within the scope of political violence. Sharma's dissertation is on the study of anti-minority vigilante violence, specifically religious nationalism and political violence in his home country of India.
UC engineers drones that know if they're damaged
October 29, 2026
UC engineering students are developing drones that can work in warehouses using a digital twin and others that can warn of damaged propellers or motors before a flight.