CLOSED: An Insect, a Spider, and ???- Central Iowa

Chillybean (Zone 5a) Apr 28, 2016

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.

Post #10221990

Quote

Flapdoodle Minot, ND Apr 28, 2016

Nos. 1 and 2 are of a stonefly (order Plecoptera), nos. 3 and 4 appear to be a female cobweb spider in the genus Steatoda; I have no idea as to the identity of no. 5 as i have never seen anything quite like it. Is there any way that you can keep it under observation to see what (if anything) emerges from it?

Post #10222024

Quote

Chillybean (Zone 5a) Apr 28, 2016

Thank you so much. I could not even get that close to the IDs. So many insects...

About the "thing", I was pulling thistle when I found it. Took a picture and put it on the ground not thinking about it, but the next morning (after a rain) I ran out and got it. It was pretty wet then. It is now in a glass jar covered with a Kleenex held in place by a rubber band. I put in a small amount of water in case it needed humidity and is sitting at a window. That was on the 20th and there's been no change.

Post #10222058

Quote

Chillybean (Zone 5a) Apr 28, 2016

I went to Bug Guide, finally using the right search terms and found this:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/971654

I have seen similar spiders here. I hope this "hatches", then I'll just put them out in the same area.

This message was edited Apr 28, 2016 6:28 PM