Joro spiders, an invasive species from Japan, are here to stay - Gainesville Times

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Joro spiders, an invasive species from Japan, are here to stay

Spiders spotted in Braselton in 2014 are now spreading throughout Northeast Georgia

A Joro spider hangs from its web on Oct. 11, 2019, in Gainesville. The spiders were introduced to Georgia from Japan, but the arachnids don't appear to be a pest to local plants or animals, according to the University of Georgia. - photo by Nick Bowman

11062019 JORO 1.jpg — A Joro spider hangs from its web on Oct. 11, 2019, in Gainesville. The spiders were introduced to Georgia from Japan, but the arachnids don't appear to be a pest to local plants or animals, according to the University of Georgia. - photo by Nick Bowman

Joro spiders are here to stay. For the past couple of years Joro spiders — which are widespread in China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan — have taken up residence in Northeast Georgia.