Invasive Species

 I got 'em.

In north Georgia, the Joro spider has become pretty well-established and is expanding its range.  I first noticed them at my old house in the exurbs in late summer / early fall, 2018.  That was the same time this article appeared.  They seemed to be sort of centered on Braselton, along I-85, and were spreading up and down the freeway.  This article notes they were in 23 Georgia counties as of early 2021.

 

In late 2018, I moved to my new house, which is farther north and east.  No Joros at first, but in late summer, 2020, I saw a couple.  This year there are more.  The above pictures were taken at my former house.  The little spider seen in the web is the male.  The first article notes that the Joros seem to be getting along okay with no adverse impact, but I have seen fewer barn spiders around--and writing spiders.  I do, however, see spiny orb weavers in close proximity to the Joro webs.

Then there's this thing:

 

 

It's a hammerhead worm.  I had never seen one before a few mornings ago.  I lifted it with a stick and put it in the grass; by the time I found this article, it had disappeared.  I'm not sure I want a toxic carnivorous earthworm-eater to get established in my back yard. Alas.