The fifth annual Joro Watch Spotting and Photo Contest invites the public to document Joro spiders and learn how everyday observations help track invasive species.
A large, brightly colored spider suspended in a golden web is hard to miss. Reporting that sighting can do more than document a Joro spider. It can help researchers track an invasive species while introducing the public to tools used to monitor invasive species nationwide.
From October 12–18, the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health invites the public to participate in the fifth annual Joro Watch Spotting and Photo Contest. Each report must include a clear, well-focused photograph. Joro spiders can be confused with native orb-weavers, including yellow garden spiders, banded garden spiders, and golden silk orb-weavers. Clear photographs help experts verify sightings before records are added to distribution maps.
“The goal of Joro Watch is not simply to generate more spider photos, but to help people become confident participants in the broader effort to monitor invasive species,” said Invasive Species Specialist Caroline Shaw. “Joro Watch introduces citizen science to the public by showing people how to recognize a species, document its location, and submit observations. These are skills people can use beyond the contest to help track other invasive species in their communities.”
Community Reports Fill the Gaps
Since researchers can’t monitor every location firsthand, community members can help fill the gaps. Reports from backyards, trails, and parks provide information about where Joro spiders are established, where they may be appearing for the first time, and how their distribution changes over time.
Reported Joro Spider Spread Over Time, 2014–Present
This map illustrates the Joro spider’s range expansion from 2014 to the present. Reports from each year show how the species has moved into new areas, including areas farther north. Citizen scientists make it possible to track this movement by spotting and reporting Joro spiders.
Please cite the EDDMapS as:
EDDMapS. 2026. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed .
What We Learned from Joro Watch 2025
The Center’s previous spotting contest shows the true power of citizen science campaigns like Joro Watch. The 2025 contest generated 4,699 reports and more than 7,400 images from 112 counties across five states. Expert review confirmed 3,601 accurate Joro spider records, including five new county detections: one in Alabama, one in Georgia, one in North Carolina, and two in South Carolina. These records help researchers track the species across a geographic area that would be difficult to cover through traditional field surveys alone.
Photography With a Purpose
The photo contest also supports education and outreach. Selected photographers may be invited to contribute their images to Bugwood Images, where photographs can be used in research, educational materials, and public outreach.
Join Joro Watch 2026
The 2026 Joro Watch Spotting and Photo Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. ET Monday, October 12, through 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, October 18. Participants can report sightings through JoroWatch.org, EDDMapS.org, or the free EDDMapS app. Only reports submitted during the contest period will count toward contest awards.
All verified reports will be entered in the spotting contest, and qualifying photographs will be considered for photo awards. Participants can earn recognition for first verified county reports, the most verified reports, reports from the most counties, and standout photography. For complete contest rules, identification resources, and reporting instructions, visit JoroWatch.org.