Huge, invasive Joro spiders are spreading in several states again. Here's what to do if you spot one.

TL;DR

Joro spiders, originally from East Asia, were first found in the U.S. in Georgia in 2014 and have since been reported in over a dozen states.
Adult females are large, yellow spiders with bluish-green stripes and black and yellow legs, reaching up to 1 inch in body length and a 4-inch leg span.
Only young Joro spiders engage in 'ballooning,' using silk to travel on the wind; adult spiders do not fly.
Current sightings are reported in Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Alabama, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park actively tracking their spread.
The spiders are considered harmless to humans, with research indicating bites are rare and cause localized, temporary pain.
While they can build large webs (up to 10 feet in diameter), they are unlikely to enter homes and can be deterred from living spaces with a broom.
Disturbing wildlife, including Joro spiders, is illegal in national parks.
Researchers are studying the impact of Joro spiders on native orb-weaver populations and encourage reporting sightings through iNaturalist or email to aid their research.
It is advised not to kill Joro spiders due to unknown ecological impacts and the potential for misidentification with native spider species.

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