Wasp encounters can be scary. These large, flying insects are known for their painful stings and aggressive nature, and some may even swarm when their nests are disturbed. But not all wasps are quite so fierce, and the great black wasp (sphex pensylvanicus) is one of these. Also known as a katydid hunter, they are a type of solitary digger wasp that can be found across North America.
What You Need to Know About the Invasive Joro Spider
Over the past few months, it seems that every media outlet has run some version of the sensational headline, “Giant, Venomous, Flying Spiders to Invade New York This Summer!” The implication is that the joro spider is a terrifying threat and we should prepare for our lives to look like a 1950s sci-fi movie.
While these headlines about the joro spider may be mostly correct in a technical sense, there is no need for the hysteria being whipped up surrounding its impending arrival in the region. This colorful arachnid is indeed on our doorstep, spreading north due to its moderate cold tolerance coupled with a warming climate… but joro spiders are not nearly as frightening as overwrought news segments and clickbait articles portray them.
