Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: An Insect, a Spider, and ???- Central Iowa, 3 by Chillybean

Chillybean wrote:
1 and 2. Found in front yard. The child that found this says it is about an inch from head to tail. It flew away before I could look at it.
3. and 4. All I can guess is a type of Cobweb spider. Makes its home in our basement. Looks fat... maybe a female?
5. This thing is attached like I\'ve seen some cocoons, but yet it appears made of dirt and sand. Is there any way to tell what kind of critter made this? I didn\'t measure, but I think it is about a half-inch in diameter and it is attached to a Canada Thistle leaf.