An urban species not part of any of my projects somehow

[urbpan]

Somehow I randomly discovered a new-to-me species of urban spider after 6 years of making it my primary hobby to catalog such things. This is the northern cobweb spider Steatoda borealis. Its main claim to fame is that people mistake it for a widow spider. Like other cobweb spiders (including widow spiders) it hangs around in a disorganized tangled web in a dusty unused place that might have flies or other insects around, such as an outbuilding or an unfinished basement. This spider is considered harmless, and may outcompete other, more dangerous spiders. I posted two pictures because one shows the T pattern on the abdomen better, while the other highlights the comical boxing-glove like appendages called "palps" that identify this individual as a male. I took these pictures somewhere at Franklin Park Zoo but I forget where--golf cart maybe?