Goat moth larva

[JackintheGreen]

I came across one of these magnificent beasts on Brownsea island over the weekend, walking across the path. It was a first for me.

Since the normally bore in wood, I assumed it was on its way to a pupation site in the ground. Would this be the case or do they sometimes move around from one piece of wood to another? I wouldn't recommend it though, because it would make a very substantial meal for a lot of predators!

Cheers,

Steve

Edit: I've just found a photograph of a pupal case emerging from wood. Why would it have been out in the open , unless it was changing logs?