Dark Fishing Spider
Dolomedes tenebrosus
Family: Nursery Web Spiders (Pisauridae )
Genus: Fishing Spiders (Dolomedes, from the Greek meaning "wiley")

At first glance, it's difficult to tell if it's a fishing spiders or a wolf spider, which are similar in size, shape, and coloration.

To discover which family is the correct, examine the eyes to identify the two family groups (a good use for your macro camera lens!).

Although fishing spiders mostly live near water, hence their name, the Dark Fishing spider is usually found in fields and forest edges.

Look for then on vertical surfaces, where they wait for large insects to come within striking distance. They don't spin webs to catch prey, but ambush and overpower their victims.

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