Venomous flying spiders the size of a human hand spreading across US

"Experts cautioned that these venomous arachnids are poised to spread across the US thanks to a process called ballooning, where they form 'sail-like trails of silk that lift them off the ground.' Currently, a new wave of Joros is preparing to hatch this spring, with this brood capable of flying several feet through the air and potentially hitching rides all over the nation."

"Female Joro spiders have a bright yellow body with blue strips and red markings, making them hard to miss. Males can be spotted by their more brownish color and smaller size. The females also build large, golden webs to capture their prey, and these are increasingly common as the population swells."

"If you live in or near a city, you might see more Joro spiders, as they are surprisingly tolerant of urban environments, including busy roads, vibrations, noise, and crowded structures, in comparison to many spiders varieties native to the US. The University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology experimented with tuning forks that simulated road vibrations, finding that the spider was relatively unaffected by noise that would affect other arachnids."

Joro spiders, bright yellow arachnids native to Asia, are experiencing population surges across the northeastern and southeastern United States. These venomous spiders spread through ballooning, a process where they create silk trails that allow them to travel through the air and potentially disperse across the nation. Currently found in Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, California, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Joros are particularly visible in fall months. Female spiders display distinctive yellow bodies with blue and red markings and can grow as large as a human hand, while males are smaller and brownish. These spiders demonstrate remarkable tolerance for urban environments, thriving near busy roads and crowded structures where native spider species struggle. A new generation is preparing to hatch this spring, capable of traveling several feet through the air.

Read at Mail Online