50.001 BF162

Goat Moth Cossus cossus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 68-96 mm.

The Goat Moth gets its English name from the strong 'goaty' odour of the caterpillar.

The caterpillar burrows into the trunks of various deciduous trees, and feeds on the wood. Because of the long digestion period required for this food matter, the larvae often live for up to five years before pupating.

The adults fly in June and July and are among the heaviest of British moths. It is locally widespread in the south, and scarcer further north in Britain.