long-jawed orb-weaving spider

5877  Spider found outdoors (residential back yard, running down flowerpot), Calgary Alberta on warm, early afternoon of May 25, 2015. Thank you very much!  Gerhard.

This is a long-jawed orb-weaving spider (family Tetragnathidae), likely in the genus Tetragnatha – see http://tinyurl.com/jnhdc7c for an image of one in a more typical pose. The webs of these spiders usually are more horizontal than vertical in orientation, and usually are constructed over or very near small bodies of water. They seem to specialize in preying on insects emerging from or approaching the water.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.