Swallowtail caterpillar

[beagle100]

Black swallowtail caterpillar - very soon a butterfly

swallowtail butterfly caterpillar by c w, on Flickr

 

[WesternGuy]

Interesting image as it looks like you might have caught it just starting to spin its cocoon, or is it doing something else.

WesternGuy

 

[Achaicus]

Those don't spin cocoons, the two tie downs and the pad at the tail is all the spinning they do. These form a chrysalis.

 

[beagle100]

Those don't spin cocoons, the two tie downs and the pad at the tail is all the spinning they do. These form a chrysalis.

I think you're right, youtube videos show the swallowtail caterpillar breaking a hard shell turning into a butterfly

 

[Bamps]

Beautiful capture!!