Joro Watch has started their 4th annual Joro Spider Spotting Contest meant to monitor and collect data on the spread of Joro Spiders. The contest will end on Sunday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m.
Joro Watch was developed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. It is part of the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center.
To kick off their annual event, Joro Watch encourages people to take pictures of the Joro Spider for a chance to receive prizes and recognition.
In Clarke County, there have been over 400 reports of the Joro Spider being spotted. In the Southeastern US these spiders typically show up between August and October. Public areas known to have the Joro Spiders include the Oconee Forest Park, State Botanical Gardens of Georgia, and more.
To take part in the photo contest applicants must take their pictures of the Joro Spider and upload clear and focused pictures to jorowatch.org. Photos are judged by four criteria including image clarity, composition, scientific value, and creativity.
