08/19/2026
Keep your eyes open... this fugitive may be hanging in a web near you.
The invasive joro spider has been slowly spreading through the Smokies, and we need your help to track its whereabouts.
Adult female joro spiders are hard to miss. With their bright yellow and black bands, they look like an escapee from spider jail.
If you spot one, don't disturb it, take a picture to record it's exact location and report your observation through the free iNaturalist app or email your observation to [email protected].
Your reports help University of Tennessee researchers map the spread of this invasive species and better understand its expansion across our region.
Photos by Caitlin Jones
