Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Nephilidae Members: NC Records

Trichonephila clavata - an orbweaver

Trichonephila clavata Trichonephila clavata Trichonephila clavata
Immature female		Trichonephila clavata
Ventral		Trichonephila clavata
Male
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAEFamily: NephilidaeSubfamily: Nephilinae                                                                                 
Species Comment: After this native-of-Asian-countries' first known appearance in Georgia in 2013 (confirmed in 2014), this spider was subsequently found in western NC in 2021. In addition to the records shown below, at this writing (March 2022), there has been one other NC record somewhere in the Nantahala National Forest (portions of which are to be found in seven contiguous NC counties) reported on iNaturalist. This species does not have an American Arachnological Society-recognized common name, but has been colloquially called jorō spider or joro spider based on its Japanese name of jorōgumo which translates as "prostitute spider." Owing to its rapid spread and its conspicuous size and coloration, it would seem extremely likely that we shall see many more specimens of this spider in North Carolina in the coming years.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Its being a strikingly large and distinctly colored orb weaver, it would be hard to misidentify. While being notably smaller, the males have the same general markings as the females.
Total Length: Females 17-25mm, males 7-10mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Widespread in Asia, It appears to have gained a foothold in the mountainous regions of GA and SC, and the reports of its presence in NC suggest that it may continue to spread in our lower mountains and foothills.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Trichonephila clavata
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: A very large orb (can be several meters) which has a pair of an irregular web "layers": one in front of, and another behind it.
Prey: With the spiders' size, and the strength of their silk, they can handle most flying insects. They have been observed feeding on insects frequently rejected by spiders, including the marmorated stink bug and lady beetles.
Predators: While large orb weavers often fall prey to birds, T. clavata may be somewhat protected by its outer web layers (pure speculation: dbz)
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Trichonephila clavata - an orbweaver

35 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-10-27
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: A. Kauppila on 2024-10-21
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-20
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-08
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-07
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-03
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kate Loughran on 2024-09-20
Polk Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-01
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-09-01
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-12
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-08-07
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-11-22
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Luke R Tuck on 2023-10-16
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Luke R Tuck on 2023-10-16
Haywood Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Luke R Tuck on 2023-10-16
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof, M. Briley on 2023-10-04
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M.Briley on 2023-09-28
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: M.Briley on 2023-09-08
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M.Briley on 2023-09-08
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vickie Sealock, photo by Jennifer Hott on 2022-09-24
Jackson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2022-09-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment: