Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#37431
black-lined spider

black-lined spider
Ailsa Craig, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada
June 8, 2005
Size: body length about 5 mm
On fence beside garage at night. I think the prey is a small caddisfly; there were lots of them attracted to the light.

Pirate spider?
This reminds me of a pirate spider (family Mimetidae). They habitually kill other spiders, especially cobweb weavers, then take over their webs. I hope we get a second opinion, though.

 
I would agree
I agree with Eric, this looks like a Pirate spider (Mimetidae). The carapace shape and markings and the setae (spines) on the legs are consistent with a pirate spider. (Possibly in the Ero genus, but that is nothing more than an semi-educated guess...) :)

 
pirate spider
Thanks Eric and Christopher. Image moved to family page.