Joro spiders are everywhere in north Georgia. Researchers want your photos for this contest
If you live in north Georgia, you are well-acquainted with Joro spiders.
The colorful, invasive species known for spinning gold-colored webs has been spreading across Georgia for years now, and scientists say they aren't going anywhere.
The Bugwood Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health is calling on the public to photograph the spiders for their Joro Spider Spotting Contest in effort to record the number of Joro spiders in the area.
The judges will award Joro watch prize stickers based on the following:
Most number of verified Joro spider reports
Most number of counties with verified Joro spider reports
First verified Joro spider report in our database in that county
Joro spider photo contest runs from Oct. 9 - Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m.
According to its Facebook page, you may report the sightings through the Joro Watch website or create an account with EDDMapS if you want to use the EDDMapS App. If you’ve previously reported via https://jorowatch.org/, you can use the Forgot Password link to create an account with the email address you used to report through the EDDMapS app.
Reports from the University of Georgia peg the first sightings of the spider between 2013 and 2014. Scientists used genetic analysis to confirm those sightings as Joro spiders in 2015, and Georgia Museum of Natural History collections director Rick Hoebeke tracked them as they spread throughout the state.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Joro spiders in Georgia: Submit your photos to Joro-spotting contest
