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The tree has been damages for a year now, big and deep holes at the base of the trunk, about half a meter high. this was the first time I saw the larva eating in the sun. I made a small video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6_TRFmnq64
I never saw a caterpillar this big and it looks like it is not native in our country.
Answer
Dear Arne, thank you for your inquiry, the photo, and the interesting information. This is a fairly common species of moth – the goat moth Cossus cossus. Its large larvae feed on the wood of many trees, where they can be quite harmful. In the autumn, they leave their feeding site and look for a place to pupate, which is why they are more frequently encountered during this part of the season. Have a nice day, M. Zúbrik