Are Creepy ‘Parachuting’ Spiders Spreading To Iowa and Illinois?

It sounds like something straight out of a horror movie: giant spiders floating through the air, landing in new places, and spreading across the country.

But it’s real...and it’s happening.

A species known as the Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) has been making headlines as it continues to expand across the United States. Nicknamed “parachuting spiders,” these eye-catching (and yes, slightly terrifying-looking) creatures are raising questions about just how close they could get to the Midwest.

What Are “Parachuting” Spiders?

The nickname comes from how these spiders travel. Joro spiders use a method called ballooning, where they release strands of silk that catch the wind, lifting them into the air and carrying them to new locations. It can look like they’re parachuting through the sky. In some cases, they can travel miles this way.

Where Are They Right Now?

Joro spiders were first spotted in the U.S. in Georgia around 2013, likely arriving through international shipping.

Since then, they’ve spread to multiple states, mostly in the Southeast and along the East Coast, including:

• Georgia
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• Maryland

There have even been scattered sightings farther west, showing just how adaptable they are.

Why People Are Freaking Out

Well...the visuals don’t help.

• Females can grow up to 4 inches across
• They have bright yellow bodies with bold markings
• They spin large, golden-colored webs that can stretch several feet

They’re hard to miss and even harder to ignore.

Are They Dangerous?

Here’s the good news for Iowa and Illinois residents. Joro spiders are not considered dangerous to humans.

While they are venomous (like most spiders), they rarely bite, are not aggressive, and cause mild reactions at worst, similar to a bee sting. In fact, experts say they’re relatively shy and tend to avoid people altogether.

Could They Reach the Quad Cities?

Right now, Joro spiders are mostly concentrated in the southeastern and eastern U.S. not in Iowa or Illinois. However, scientists believe they could continue expanding their range over time because they tolerate colder temperatures better than expected, adapt well to urban environments, and can travel long distances using the wind. That means states like Illinois could eventually see them, and if they reach there, the Quad Cities wouldn’t be far behind.

Yes, “parachuting spiders” sounds like nightmare fuel.But the reality is much less dramatic. They’re not dangerous. They don’t attack people. And they’re not currently in Iowa or Illinois.

Still, if you ever look up and see a spider floating through the air… now you’ll know exactly what’s going on.