On a tramp along the Yellow River, I saw a spider with beautiful markings. Her body was perhaps 2 inches long. Her legs were blue-black, with gold bands at the joints. Her body was light gray with lemon yellow stripes. A splash of magenta-red was on her underside — but the marking was indistinct, a smear of lipstick.
I learned later I was looking at a Joro spider, Trichonephilia clavate. Had my discovery been 10 years earlier, it would have been news.
The first Joro spiders came to Georgia from Asia — probably in a shipping container — about 10 years ago. There are millions now. They are thriving here and are spreading to other states. They spin webs that act as balloons, carrying them on the wind.
I saw at least one story saying the invasive spiders are terrifying Georgians. I have not seen any evidence of mass terror. Entomologists say Joro spiders are harmless, and the one I saw was shy.
Years ago, when I first read haiku, I noticed some Japanese poets spoke about the spiders that shared their huts almost as if they were pets. I grew up among people who killed spiders and snakes on principle and was impressed that some people could come to like spiders. I can better understand that sensibility today.
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