Invertebrates
See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.
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Joro Spider
Hi! I read the article about finding a Joro spider locally. Wondering if this is also a Joro spider? I took this photo in Toba, Japan in early December 2025. Thanks!
Nick, Santa Barbara - January 16, 2026
Curator Response
Hi Nick,
Yes, this is a Joro Spider, Trichonephila clavata. Luckily, Japan is one of the places where they are native, so you got to see it in its natural environment! (For those who missed the story about one found in Santa Barbara County, here it is.)
Sincerely,
Schlinger Chair of Entomology Alex Harman, Ph.D.
