Insect and Spider Identification: ID needed for larvae on tomato stake, 1 by Judyc13

Judyc13 wrote:
Have submitted this photo to local gardeners, Extension office, Master Gardeners, and anyone else I can think of. No-one knows what this is.
Have been advised to get rid of it, but am reluctant to do so without knowing what it/they will hatch into.
Appears to be several white eggs covered by a very firm grey shield.
One expert suggested it might be a praying mantis, but have never seen one here, at 8,200 ft elevation in Colorado.
Any ideas...?