The Joro spider and the golden orb-weaver are two fascinating species of spiders that may appear similar at first glance but have unique features and characteristics. Both species belong to the group of large spiders known as golden orb-web weavers, constructing stunningly intricate, multi-layered webs with gold-colored silk. The Joro spider, native to East Asia, has recently gained attention for its spread across the Southeastern United States, while the golden orb-weaver has a native range in the tropical and subtropical regions of North and Central America source.
Both Joro spiders and golden orb-weavers display striking coloration, with the Joro spider showcasing bold yellow stripes against a black background source and the golden orb-weaver having an overall golden hue. While these spiders may appear intimidating, they are relatively shy creatures that are not dangerous to humans. As we dive deeper into the world of these fascinating arachnids, we’ll uncover their unique features, behaviors, and characteristics.
Joro Spider vs Golden Orb Weaver
Physical Characteristics
Joro Spider:
Golden Orb Weaver:
Habitat and Distribution
- Joro Spider: Native to East Asia2, recently found in South Carolina2
- Golden Orb Weaver: Found all over the southeastern US3, especially in Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia3
Behavior
- Both species are docile, not generally considered dangerous2, and provide a beneficial service by capturing other insects2
- Their silk is strong and used to build very large orb webs with additional barrier webs3
Feature | Joro Spider | Golden Orb Weaver |
---|---|---|
Size (leg span) | Up to 4 inches1 | Up to 6 inches1 |
Web Appearance | Large orb web with barriers3 | Large orb web with barriers3 |
Color & Markings | Bright yellow or brown1 | Dull orange with yellow spots1 |
Distribution | East Asia2; South Carolina2 | Southeastern US3 |
Biology and Reproduction
Mating Rituals
In both Joro spiders (Trichonephila clavata) and golden silk orb-weavers (Trichonephila clavipes), the mating process involves the smaller male approaching the significantly larger female. Males use delicate courtship rituals, such as vibrating their bodies, to signal their intentions and avoid being mistaken as prey.
Example:
- Male Joro spider vibrates its body to avoid being eaten by the female
Spiderlings
After mating, both Joro spiders and golden silk orb-weavers produce egg sacs, which vary in shape and size. These egg sacs protect the developing spiderlings until they hatch.
Example:
- Adult female Joro spiders and golden silk orb-weavers produce egg sacs for protection
Comparison Table
Feature | Joro Spider (Trichonephila clavata) | Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Trichonephila clavipes) |
---|---|---|
Web Size | Large, multi-layered webs | Large, golden webs |
Size Ratio (female : male) | Female much larger than male | Female much larger than male |
Physical Appearance – Female | Bright yellow or brown | Dull orange with yellow spots |
Hair | Smooth | Hairy |
Mating Ritual | Male vibrates body | Male vibrates body |
Egg Sac Characteristics | Size and shape vary | Size and shape vary |
Note: Both Joro spiders and golden silk orb-weavers belong to the Araneidae family.
By understanding the unique features and mating rituals of the Joro spider and golden silk orb-weaver, we can better appreciate their fascinating biology and reproduction processes.
Venom and Bites
Comparing Venom Potency
- Joro Spider: Joro spiders have weak venom and are not considered medically important (source).
- Golden Orb Weaver: Similar to Joro spiders, Golden Orb Weavers have weak venom, and their bites are not medically significant (source).
Spider | Venom Potency |
---|---|
Joro Spider | Weak, not medically important |
Golden Orb Weaver | Weak, not medically significant |
Effects of Bites
- Joro Spider: Bites from Joro spiders are rare and typically only occur if they feel threatened. Even when the bites occur, the venom is weak, and the effects are mild, with little to no allergic reactions (source).
- Golden Orb Weaver: Similar to the Joro spiders, Golden Orb Weavers rarely bite, even when handled. If bites do occur, the effects of the venom are mild and not a cause for concern (source).
Spider | Effects of Bites |
---|---|
Joro Spider | Rare, mild, with little to no allergic reactions |
Golden Orb Weaver | Rare, mild, with no significant reactions |
Examples of mild effects in both cases can include:
- Swelling at the bite site
- Redness or itching
- Pain or discomfort
Global Distribution and Invasive Species
Asian Habitat
- Joro spiders: originally found in East Asia (e.g. China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea)
- Golden orb weavers: native to tropical regions worldwide, with some species in Central and South America, Africa, and Australia
The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) has its native habitat in East Asia, covering regions like China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. On the other hand, the Golden orb-weaver (Nephila spp.) has a broader native range and can be found in tropical climates around the world, including Central and South America, Africa, and Australia.
North American Expansion
- Joro spider: expansion to Georgia
- Golden orb weaver: native range includes parts of the southeastern United States
The Joro spider is considered an invasive species in the United States following its recent expansion into Georgia. Meanwhile, the Golden orb weaver (primarily the species Trichonephila clavipes, or the banana spider) has a native range that includes parts of the southeastern US, such as North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Species | Native Range | Invasive Status |
---|---|---|
Joro spider | East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea) | Invasive in United States |
Golden orb weaver | Tropical regions worldwide | Native to southeastern US |
- Both spiders can tolerate colder temperatures
- Invasive species: potential threat to agriculture and the environment
Both the Joro spider and Golden orb weaver are able to tolerate colder temperatures, which might contribute to their expansion in North America. As invasive species, they could potentially pose a threat to agriculture and the environment, as outlined in this study.
Web Characteristics and Construction
Golden Webs
Joro spiders and golden orb-weavers both create unique, intricate golden webs. These golden webs are known for trapping insects and their beautiful golden appearance. The main differences between the web constructions are:
- Joro spiders have more colorful spiders
- Golden orb-weavers’ webs are known for their larger size
Some interesting features of these golden webs include:
- Entangling or binding prey
- Reflecting an electrical field
Web Spinning Process
The web spinning process for both types of spiders involves creating a series of threads and patterns, designed to effectively capture prey. The key characteristics of their web spinning techniques include:
- Time of day: spinning usually occurs during the night
- Method: creating sticky and non-sticky threads
A comparison table highlighting the differences in web spinning includes:
Spider Type | Web Complexity | Spider Size | Web Size |
---|---|---|---|
Joro Spider | High | Medium | Medium |
Golden Orb-Weaver | Slightly lower | Large | Large |
While both spiders spin intricate golden webs, the variations in size and complexity differ between the Joro and golden orb-weavers.
Identification Tips
Joro Spider Features
- Body length: Female jorō spiders have a body length of approximately 1 inch, while males are much smaller, around 0.3 inches1.
- Color: Females are bright yellow or brown, depending on their gender, while males are less colorful2.
- Marking patterns: The jorō spider features yellow bands and wide stripes on its cephalothorax, with distinctive red splotches on the abdomen3.
- Legs: Jorō spiders typically have long, skinny legs4.
Note: The Japanese name for the jorō spider is “jorōgumo” (female entwining spider).
Golden Orb Weaver Features
- Body length: Female golden orb-weaver spiders have a body length ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 inches, while males are smaller, about 0.25 inches5.
- Color: Golden orb-weaver spiders have a dull orange back with yellow spots6.
- Marking patterns: The golden orb weaver features marking patterns with a lighter background and darker lines7.
- Legs: Golden orb-weaver spiders also have long legs but with hair on them8.
Comparison Table:
Feature | Joro Spider | Golden Orb Weaver |
---|---|---|
Body length | Females: ~1 inch, Males: ~0.3 inches | Females: 0.9-1.5 inches, Males: ~0.25 inches |
Color | Females: bright yellow or brown, Males: less colorful | Dull orange back with yellow spots |
Markings | Yellow bands, wide stripes, red splotches | Lighter background, darker lines |
Legs | Long, skinny | Long, hairy |
Footnotes
- Joro vs. Golden Silk Spider – Mississippi State University Extension ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
- Big Yellow Spiders in South Carolina – Home & Garden Information Center ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
- Nothing to fear as ‘stunningly beautiful’ Joro spider treks north – Cornell University ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
- https://extension.psu.edu/joro-spiders ↩
- https://extension.psu.edu/joro-spiders ↩
- https://extension.msstate.edu/blog/joro-vs-golden-silk-spider ↩
- https://extension.psu.edu/joro-spiders ↩
- https://extension.msstate.edu/blog/joro-vs-golden-silk-spider ↩
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15 Comments. Leave new
I watched one of these spider earlier this year catch a small frog in its web and then proceed to gnaw or whatever spiders do to that kind of prey. I had to head to work and missed out on the outcome.
Bernie,
You are such a teaser. We want more information. Where was the sighting? What was the habitat like? Was it near a stream or pond? Was it a tree frog or something larger. Please respond.
So this post prompts me to ask a question…
I think on Crowley’s Ridge in north east Arkansas we must have absolutely mutant Argiope Aurantia. Everything I’ve ever read on them indicates that the adult body size is only about 2 inches, and I see here that this little guy (legs and all) is only 2 inches.
Here’s my quandry… the average body size around here is about 3 inches in the rural areas closest to the city (unfortunately we have very few within city limits in Jonesboro, AR). But out on the ridge near the rice fields, holy CRAP!!! Their bodies and legs get as big as your face!
I’ve seen pictures friends have taken over the years of these ‘dinner plate’ spiders, but never seen them myself. I see the 3 inch ones all the time though, and they lay between 2-4 egg sacs each! I wouldn’t have believed they were from the same spider except I saw her in the process of spinning her 3rd the day after she spun #2.
This fall I will make a concerted effort to document some of these monsters, as I can’t find any technical information that these spiders reach more than 2 inches in body size. Anyone else ever seen these reach gargantuan size?
Hi Heather,
We are eager to see your photos this autumn. Please try to include something for scale. Camera optics can often make objects closer to the lens appear disproportionately larger that they actually are. See this internet sensation we posted many years ago: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2004/04/05/giant-camel-spider/
I was about to post a picture almost identical to this one. She is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a spider so big. They are great decorations for Halloween.
Sorry, I should add I’m in Burleson, TX
LOVE the Orbweavers! We were lucky enough to have ours build on our living room window – we could watch her all day and night, catching prey, spinning .. it was amazing. The “zig-zag” pattern is so the birds don’t run into their webs. 😉
The zig-zag pattern is known as the stabilimentum, and to the best of our knowledge, its true purpose is unknown, though warning birds is an interesting idea. An Australian Orbweaver known as the St Andrew’s Cross Spider is almost camouflaged in its stabilimentum.
I love these girls so much, I have one tattooed on my sternum, stabilimentum included.
Please send in an image using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site and we will post it. We have several nice images of insect body art in our archives.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/01/13/flat-faced-longhorned-borer-beetle-and-some-lovely-tattoos/
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/04/11/anatomically-correct-tattoos/
I’ll have to get a family friendly pic in my swim suit. I’ll send one of my giant centipede tattoo, as well.
Awesome. We can’t wait.
Martha! We had one of these living in a corner of our deck a few years ago. We named her and tossed grasshoppers into her web to watch her spin and feast. Cool spider!
I’ve only known them as hay spiders all my like (Oklahoma).
That is a common name we have not heard. Perhaps it is specific to Oklahoma.