Arachnids of North Carolina
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Trichonephila clavata - an orbweaver     Nephilidae Members: NC Records BugGuide Account Public View
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Ventral
Immature female
Distribution Records
PDF

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

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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
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: 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: