New Study Suggests Giant Parachuting Spiders Are Set To Take Over The East Coast

The University of Georgia just released a study that’s bad news for those with arachnophobia: giant parachuting spiders will likely invade the entire East Coast.

Researchers with the university found that the spiders, known Trichonephila clavata or Joro spiders, are growing in numbers and there’s nothing in the ecosystem to stop them.

The three-inch-long arachnids are originally from Japan and use their webs like parachutes to ride the wind and travel. According to The Independent, the spiders can travel up to 100 miles per day.

A press release from the university revealed that Joro spiders first arrived in Georgia around 2013 and their populations have steadily increased since.

According to CBS, Joro spiders are expected to continue spreading from Georgia to the entirety of the East Coast. Since they can survive cold temperatures and have few predators, there’s little holding them back.

In an interview with the news outlet, co-author of the study Benjamin Fric explained, “No predators, it doesn’t have anything that’s controlling its population size in the new habitat, but it has perfect conditions to spread.”

Thankfully, scientists don’t believe their newfound presence along the east coast is inherently bad. In the press release, researchers from the study noted that the spiders shouldn’t have a huge impact on local food webs or ecosystems, and they suggested members of the public should learn to live with them.

Yes, they’re large. Yes, they’re different. But they’re ultimately harmless. As Benjamin Frick stated in the release, “The way I see it, there’s no point in excess cruelty where it’s not needed. You have people with saltwater guns shooting them out of the trees and things like that, and that’s really just unnecessary.”

If you happen to have a Joro spider that’s literally blocking your path with its web, researchers suggest gently removing the web with a stick and leaving the spider alone.