Unidentified

I can reassure you that this is not a Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus), as it perches comfortably on the bark in the picture. Widow spiders are almost always found in their webs, have proportionately larger bodies for their leg size, and are built for hanging from silk, not for running. Notice the spread, posture, and relative straightness of this spider’s legs, indicating a fast runner. My guess, based on build, markings, and location, is Eratigena agrestis, the Hobo Spider. Hobo Spiders have a bad reputation, but this is now considered to be in error. For a more detailed discussion of… Read more »