Is Michigan Facing an Invasion of Giant Venomous Flying Spiders?

Are you afraid of spiders?

What if we told you that a spider species from Japan is making its way across the country and could eventually end up in Michigan?

See Also: How Dangerous Are Michigan's Most Venomous Spiders?

We're not talking about some tiny little spider that typically goes unnoticed. Oh no, we're talking about a venomous spider so big that it's basically the size of your hand.

Meet the Joro Spider

Trichonephila clavata, also known as the Joro spider, is native to East Asia.

Since first finding its way to the United States (Georgia) in 2014, Joro spiders have now been spotted in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

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Technically, Joro spiders don't fly, they travel by "ballooning" or casting out silks to carry them on the wind for miles. However, only the smaller ones do this, the larger ones are too heavy.

Is the Joro Spider Dangerous?

While the female Joro spider is venomous, it doesn't pose a threat to people because their venom is weak and its tiny fangs can't easily pierce human skin. Joro spiders are also extremely shy. According to some reports, Joro spiders might be the shyest spiders ever documented.

Is the Joro Spider Really Coming to Michigan?

While there are no reports of Joro spiders in Michigan, a recent study shows that they are here to stay as they are spreading fast. Researchers expect that they will likely expand to the north in the coming years. It sounds like it's a matter of when not if.