Fishing spider (likely dark fishing spider)

Found near ponds, streams, wetlands, and wooded areas; adults often wander onto vegetation, buildings, or window screens.

A generalist predator that eats insects, other spiders, and occasionally small aquatic organisms or tiny vertebrates. It captures prey by ambush rather than building a typical prey-catching web.

Primarily nocturnal and fast-moving; it can run across water and detect surface vibrations. Females carry a large egg sac with their jaws and guard the spiderlings after hatching.

Generally harmless to humans, though it may bite if trapped or handled; bites are uncommon and usually cause localized pain and swelling. It benefits gardens and homes by consuming mosquitoes, flies, and other arthropods.