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Goat Moth
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Latin name: Cossus cossus
Size: Larva length approx 100mm. The adult moth has a wingspan of up to
95mm.
Distribution: Scarce, but widely distributed throughout the U.K. The photo
above was taken in by the River Cam in Cambridge.
Months seen: The adult moth flies in June and July. The larvae are
usually seen August or September when they go walkabout looking for pupation
sites.
Habitat: Parks, gardens and woodlands.
Food: Caterpillars feed on deciduous tree wood.
Special features: Adult Goat moths have light grey wings which are
covered in a a black mottled effect. There is also a brown band blushing across
the wings. The stout body is dark grey with some lighter stripes on the
abdomen.
The larvae are a deep purple-red along the back with a more orange colour along
the sides and below. The head is black and there are a few fine white hairs
along the whole body.
The larvae of the goat moth spends up to five years developing. The first few
years are spent inside the trunks and branches of various deciduous trees
including; birch, ash, oak and willow. In the final year of development they
leave the tree to find a suitable pupation site on the ground. They emerge the
following summer.
Goat moths get their name from the strong goat-like smell they emit during the
larval stage.
Sightings
2010 - Whittlesea, Cambridgshire - John Bazeley
2010 - River Nene, nr. March, Cambs - Sheena Williams
2010 - New Forest, Hampshire - Keith Dando
2010 - Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk - Nicole Burgum
2010 - Busketts Inclosure, New Forest - Rob Harnett
2011 - Kyson Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk - Lynn Scannell
2011 - March, Cambs - Shannon + Lewis Marks
2011 - Longstanton, Cambs - Shona Watson
2012 - Cambridge (nr airport) - Karen Edwards
2012 - Sutton, Ely, Cambs - Ruby Ashman
2012 - Burley, Hampshire - Jamie Cosgrove
UK Safari Caterpillar Section
UK Safari Moth Section
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