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Although I’ve never seen the larva, I’m thinking that this is the pitch mass borer (Synanthedon pini, family Sesiidae) based on that characteristic pitch mass. Larvae apparently tunnel underneath the bark in pine and spruce, feeding on the resin that is exuded by the damaged tissues.
Ohh, a Sesiid! They’re cool.
I found some images of S. pini larvae, and it doesn’t look at all like the critter I found. I suspect the little guy just wandered up underneath the pitch because it made a good hidey-hole.