Parade: What are Joro spiders?

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.

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

Nathan Morehouse in his lab.

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

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