Are Joro spiders in Virginia? Here's what DCR officials had to say.

NORFOLK, Va. — A large and brightly colored invasive species called the Joro spider is on the move in the United States, prompting questions and even panic among people on social media.

The spider is large and brightly colored, with a body length of up to an inch and a leg span of up to four inches, according to PennState Extention. A quick Google search shows countless news articles on the possibility of the Asian native species spreading along the East Coast this summer.

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This raises the question: Are Joro spiders in Virginia? 13News Now reached out to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), whose answer may help you sleep better at night.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program, which monitors invasive species in Virginia, has not received any recent reports of Jorō spiders in the state," a Virginia DCR spokesperson told 13News Now in a statement Friday.

Despite their reputation for their large size and ability to "fly," PennState Extention says the spiders are harmless to people since they're hesitant to bite and have weak venom. 

According to a recent VERIFY article, it's unclear if these spiders will make their way along the East Coast this summer, but it could happen eventually.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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