Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

Trichonephila clavata - an orbweaver Nephilidae Members:			NC Records	BugGuide Account	Public View

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Immature female

Ventral

Male

Distribution Records
PDF

Vetting Levels

Adult phenology:
High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
Piedmont (Pd)
Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge

synonym

taxonomic_comments

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.

id_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 7-10mm

structural_features

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.

fld_guide_descriptions

online_photos

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)

behavior

distribution_reference

technical_reference

adult_id

1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only

abundance

distribution_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.

checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom	Frequency Regular – almost always observed on given visit; >=90% chance of observation Frequent – usually observed on a given visit; >=50%<90% chance of observation Infrequent – observed less than 50% of visits; >=25%<50% chance of observation Occasional – observed on only on a small minority of visits; >=10%<25% chance of observation Seldom – not usually seen on visits; <10% chance of observation These terms refer to visits to appropriate habitats made at appropriate times of the year, making use of common sampling/observation methods. Under those conditions, Frequency refers to the chance of observing at least one individual on a given visit made anywhere within a particular region, or over multiple visits to a single site.

checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_pd
Piedmont

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

checklist_cp
Coastal Plain

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

habitat

observation_methods

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Trichonephila clavata an orbweaver
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell Graham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: A. Kauppila Burke Co. Comment: SOMO - turkey ridge trail along road, large specimen @ -81.61118, 35.59798
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Kate Loughran Polk Co. Comment: Numerous small males present in female webs. Only two females with webs observed.
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. Ray Fisher Trail. 3 females and 1 male.
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell Graham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. residence - 3450. Young females.
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. along the shoreline of Lake Jocassee. All females. Five euthanized on site. One kept in captivity to study longevity. @ -82.886284, 35.070876	Recorded by: Luke R Tuck Haywood Co. Comment: Bethel area of Haywood County south of Canton. 200M east of Pigeon River. Large web on Norway Spruce.
	Recorded by: Luke R Tuck Haywood Co. Comment: Bethel area of Haywood County south of Canton. 200M east of Pigeon River. Large web on Norway Spruce.	Recorded by: Luke R Tuck Haywood Co. Comment: Bethel area of Haywood County south of Canton. 200M east of Pigeon River. Large web on Norway Spruce.
	Recorded by: K. Bischof, M. Briley Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. along Chestnut Mountain Road. . 5 south of Rainbow Falls parking lot. Two females, one male.	Recorded by: M.Briley Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - 1 Female, Obs. along Canebrake trail. @ -82.883885, 35.089627
	Recorded by: M.Briley Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - 2 Adult Females, 1 Adult Male Obs. on Grindstone Mountain logging path @ -82.909959, 35.068317	Recorded by: M.Briley Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - 2 Adult Females, 1 Adult Male Obs. on Grindstone Mountain logging path @ -82.909959, 35.068317
	Recorded by: Vickie Sealock, photo by Jennifer Hott Jackson Co. Comment: Elev. ca. 720 m.	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. Ranger Residence, 3450 Frozen Creek Rd. Male and female in web above Frozen Creek. Both were collected and kept for education. @ -82.880850, 35.103508
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. Ranger Residence, 3450 Frozen Creek Rd. Male and female in web above Frozen Creek. Both were collected and kept for education. @ -82.880850, 35.103508	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. Ranger Residence, 3450 Frozen Creek Rd. Male and female in web above Frozen Creek. Both were collected and kept for education. @ -82.880850, 35.103508
	Recorded by: Charles Bennett, K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. on the logging road, approximately 250 yards from the main park road, just to the North of Upper Bearwallow Falls. Record and pictures submitted to Gorges general email by park visitor, Charles Bennett. ID confirmation by K. Bischof.	Recorded by: K. Pursel Jackson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Pursel Jackson Co. Comment:

Photo Gallery for Trichonephila clavata an orbweaver