Goat Moth - Cossus cossus

Wingspan 68 to 96 mm. The Goat Moth gets its English name from the strong 'goat-like' odour of the caterpillar and is one of the heaviest British moths.

This is a rare species in our area and all records must have supporting image(s).

Well wooded areas.

The adults fly in June and July.

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.

It is locally widespread in the south though not common, and becomes scarcer further north in Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The 2019 record near Moira was the first in our area since the 1950s.