In Tennessee, the first two counties where Jorō spiders were found were Hamilton and Bradley counties in October 2021. While they are large and brightly colored in appearance, they are unlikely to bite people or their pets (9).
University of Tennessee Extension: “In Tennessee, the first two counties where Jorō spiders were found were Hamilton and Bradley counties in October 2021.” Source
Yes. The brown recluse spider is found in every county in Tennessee with the possible exception of a few extreme eastern counties. University of Tennessee Extension
Are there black widows in Tennessee?
Yes. Both the northern and the southern black widows are found in Tennessee, with the southern species being most common. University of Tennessee Extension
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adult female body 0.67-1.2 in (17-30 mm); legs up to 3 in long, a leg span of 3-4 in. Males are much smaller, 0.16-0.31 in (4-8 mm).
How to recognize it
Golden-yellow silk in very large webs, often high up between the tops of large trees; also on power lines (N.C. Extension, Henderson County)
Adult webs have no zigzag (stabilimentum); garden spiders often have one
One or more tiny brown males often sit in the female's web
Where in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the first two counties where Jorō spiders were found were Hamilton and Bradley counties in October 2021. University of Tennessee Extension
Native relative. Rows of silvery-white spots on the abdomen instead of blue bands; legs yellow-orange with brown bands and black hair tufts at the joints.
W1415 Jorō Spider. University of Tennessee Extension (UT Institute of Agriculture). W1415 08/26 [August 2026]; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“In Tennessee, the first two counties where Jorō spiders were found were Hamilton and Bradley counties in October 2021.”
PB1191 The Brown Recluse Spider. University of Tennessee Extension (UT Institute of Agriculture). PB1191-500-7/02 [July 2002 reprint]; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“The brown recluse spider is found in every county in Tennessee with the possible exception of a few extreme eastern counties.”
PB1193 The Black Widow Spider. University of Tennessee Extension (UT Institute of Agriculture). PB1193-500-7/02 [July 2002 revision]; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Both the northern and the southern black widows are found in Tennessee, with the southern species being most common.”
