The pupae and larvae of tortoise beetles are odd looking little creatures. They have a very spiky appearance around their body. Most interesting of all, they carry a fecal shield as a protective cover. That brown stuff you see is actually dry frass (insect poop) which is attached to their "tail" and can be raised and lowered. A bit like carrying a parasol! I don't know which species this is, as I saw no adults nearby. Found on Solanum dulcamara.